Minister of External Affairs, Prof G L Peiris, launched the website of the ‘Foreign Policy Think Tank’ on 22nd June 2010 (today) at the External Affairs Ministry.

The idea of establishing this think tank is in keeping with the vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s long term foreign policy interest of the country. The website will serve to facilitate the professional advancement of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy and the conduct of its external relations. This would also expand the Foreign Policy community of Sri Lanka by establishing a consultative process with academics, professionals and other experts and set in motion an interactive dialogue on non – conventional aspects of Foreign Policy making.

 

Launching the website the Minister said that the aim of setting up a Think Tank on Foreign Policy was to adopt an inclusive approach in foreign policy making and engage the vast reservoir of resources available in the country.

It may be recalled that the idea of a Foreign Policy Think Tank was first announced by Prof. Peiris during his inaugural address to members of the staff of the Ministry of External Affairs on 3rd May 2010 when he assumed duties at the Ministry. This announcement was followed by a meeting with academics, intellectuals and former Secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry on 11th May 2010.

The Foreign Policy Think Tank website can be accessed through the Ministry’s official website http://www.slmfa.gov.lk

The website of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment agency was also launched at the same event and can be accessed at www.slfea.lk .

Among those who attended the launch were the Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Gitanjana Gunawardena, Secretary External Affairs, Romesh Jayasinghe, former Foreign Secretaries and senior officials, intellectuals, academics and Ministry staff.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo

22 June 2010