The UN began its work in Sri Lanka in 1952 making it one of the first countries in the world to have a UN development programme. Three years later on 14th December 1955 Sri Lanka was admitted as a member state of the UN.

The UN is in Sri Lanka by explicit agreement with the government. All its work, including disbursement of funds, is supervised by line ministries as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding.

After more than fifty years in Sri Lanka, the UN continues to make a difference in the lives of the Sri Lankan people. A broad and wide ranging partnership – with the Government, civil society, the broad NGO community, bilateral donors, and international financial institutions - has developed to address a multitude of challenges, both in long term development, and during times of emergency.