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Results for “bimstec”

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa elected chair of first BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Meeting

November 11·9 sources

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa was elected Chairman of the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting, which commenced at the Hilton Colombo on Wednesday (11). The summit brings together delegates from all seven member states: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand. India's Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, arrived in Colombo to attend. Discussions focus on regional public health security, communicable disease control, health emergency preparedness, and technical knowledge exchange. Sri Lanka serves as the lead country for public health cooperation within the regional bloc. Dr. Jayatissa was previously appointed Chair of the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Regional Committee in October 2025 and Vice Chair of the Fifth Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference in October 2026.

Foreign AffairsEnglishසිංහලதமிழ்

BIMSTEC senior health officials meet in Colombo to strengthen regional cooperation

November 11·1 source

The first meeting of senior health officials of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) began in Colombo on Tuesday (10). Senior health officials from the seven member states—Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand—are attending the two-day meeting at the Hilton Hotel. The meeting was organised parallel to the first conference of BIMSTEC Health Ministers, which Sri Lanka will host. BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey opened the conference and handed the chairmanship to Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health and Mass Media, to lead proceedings. Discussions cover regional health challenges, disease surveillance, emergency management, digital health services, medical research, antimicrobial resistance, climate change impacts, and the 'One Health' framework.

Foreign Affairsதமிழ்

Sri Lanka chairs first BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting on Health in Colombo

November 10·6 sources

The first BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting on Health commenced on 10 November at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo, bringing together delegates from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand. Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, assumed the chairmanship of the meeting, which opened under the guidance of BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey. Discussions covered regional health security, emergency preparedness, infectious disease control, antimicrobial resistance, digital health, climate change impacts, traditional medicine, and the 'One Health' approach. Ahead of the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Conference on 11 November, Pandey and the visiting delegates also met Sri Lanka's Health Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Foreign Affairsසිංහල

Sixth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue convenes in Colombo on regional security

November 8·2 sources

The two-day Sixth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue convened at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo, co-hosted by Sri Lanka's Pathfinder Foundation and Switzerland's Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. The discussions focused on three key areas: curbing illegal fishing, strengthening integrated maritime governance, and establishing a joint mechanism to enhance maritime communications. German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann told attendees that one-fourth of global maritime trade crosses the Bay of Bengal, calling the Indian Ocean the heartbeat connecting the global economy. Participants included Pathfinder Foundation founder Milinda Moragoda, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey, and Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno, alongside foreign ambassadors and international maritime experts.

Foreign AffairsEnglishதமிழ்

BIMSTEC will not pressure members into decisions, Secretary General Pandey says

November 8·1 source

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey said the organisation operates on equality and consensus, ensuring no member state is pressured into decisions against its interests regardless of size. Speaking in Colombo, Pandey acknowledged that consensus-based decision-making can be slow and difficult, particularly when ratifying agreements and free trade pacts. However, he noted it ensures all seven members are comfortable with outcomes. He cited the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting on 30 October as an example of member states receiving an equal platform to outline priorities. Pandey added that plans are underway to establish 10 additional Centres of Excellence across various sectors to strengthen institutional capacity and advance regional cooperation.

Foreign AffairsEnglish

Sixth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue convenes in Colombo on regional governance

November 7·1 source

The two-day sixth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue was held at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, co-hosted by the Pathfinder Foundation and Switzerland's Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Local and international participants, including Colombo-based ambassadors and high commissioners, attended the event alongside Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda. BIMSTEC Secretary-General Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey delivered a plenary address, Indonesian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Arief Havas Oegroseno provided a recorded keynote, and German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann gave a special address. The dialogue focused on translating policy recommendations into practical outcomes, advancing collaborative maritime governance, establishing coordinated communications mechanisms, and addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Foreign AffairsEnglish

Sports minister rejects opposition claim of no youth in BIMSTEC summit delegation

November 6·1 source

Opposition Member of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged in Parliament that no youth representatives were included in Sri Lanka’s delegation to the BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 held in India. Responding to the question, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that all members of the delegation were under 35 years of age. Gamage said Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara and MP Lasith Bashana Gamage were among the delegation members, adding that the Indian High Commission had proposed that Gunasekara lead the team.

PoliticsEnglish

Body of Sri Lanka Navy commander who died in India repatriated

November 5·5 sources

Commander Sameera Samarakoon of the Sri Lanka Navy passed away on November 2, 2026, due to a sudden illness at a hospital in Sri Vijayapuram, India. He served as the Senior Electrical and Electronic Engineering Officer aboard SLNS Gajabahu, which was participating in the BIMSTEC-2026 maritime security exercise. An Indian Air Force aircraft repatriated his body to Sri Lanka on November 3, following respects paid by the Indian Navy and SLNS Gajabahu's crew. His funeral will be held with full naval honours. The Indian High Commission expressed condolences, while the Navy thanked Indian authorities for facilitating the repatriation.

Foreign Affairsසිංහලதமிழ்

Cabinet approves hosting first BIMSTEC health ministers' meeting in Colombo

October 29·1 source

The Cabinet has approved Sri Lanka hosting the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Meeting and the BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting on Health. The meetings are scheduled to be held in Colombo on 10 and 11 November 2026. Sri Lanka serves as the lead country for public health cooperation within the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. The decision follows discussions at the sixth BIMSTEC Leaders' Summit held in Bangkok in April 2025 to strengthen regional health cooperation.

Foreign Affairsසිංහල

Cabinet approves hosting first BIMSTEC health ministers’ meeting in Colombo in November 2026

October 27·1 source

The Cabinet has approved hosting the first BIMSTEC health ministers’ meeting and an accompanying meeting of senior health officials in Colombo on 10 and 11 November 2026. The proposal, submitted by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, follows discussions held during the sixth BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok in April 2025. The meetings aim to strengthen regional cooperation in the health sector. Sri Lanka was considered as the host in its capacity as the lead country for public health cooperation within the regional organization.

Foreign AffairsEnglish

SLNS Gajabahu departs for India to join first BIMSTEC maritime security exercise

October 27·1 source

Sri Lanka Naval Ship Gajabahu departed the Port of Colombo on 25 October 2026 for India to participate in the inaugural BIMSTEC – 2026 Maritime Security Exercise. The exercise, organized by the Indian Navy, runs from 30 October to 3 November. It involves navies and coast guard forces from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The joint exercise focuses on enhancing maritime domain awareness, operational coordination around the Bay of Bengal, and regional security cooperation. Before departure, Commanding Officer Captain Ashoka Weerasekara presented a commemorative gift to Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena during a traditional naval farewell ceremony.

Foreign Affairsසිංහල

Sri Lanka reaffirms regional security cooperation at first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ meeting

October 22·3 sources

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional security cooperation at the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi, India. Chaired by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, the meeting brought together representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, who adopted the Delhi Declaration. Addressing the summit, Wijepala highlighted Sri Lanka’s "Ratama Ekata" drug prevention programme and urged enhanced information-sharing to combat cross-border drug trafficking, maritime crime, cybercrime, and human trafficking. The declaration focuses on countering terrorism, violent extremism, and money laundering, while addressing mutual legal assistance, the extradition of suspects, and illicit financial flows.

Foreign AffairsEnglishසිංහල

India calls for stronger BIMSTEC ties on security, economy

July 19·1 source

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called for stronger regional cooperation among BIMSTEC member countries on security and economy due to economic hardships from global supply chain disruptions. Addressing the 5th meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi on Thursday, Doval urged collective action from delegations including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The meeting, attended by Sri Lanka’s Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, focused on countering terrorism, strengthening cybersecurity, and enhancing maritime and energy security. Delegates committed to regional resilience and endorsed guiding principles for maritime law enforcement, with Doval highlighting BIMSTEC's strategic importance for India's "Neighbourhood First" and "Act East" policies.

Foreign AffairsEnglish