Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in partnership with the Registrar General’s Department launched the pilot project to facilitate overseas Sri Lankans to obtain certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates through Sri Lanka Missions abroad. The system provides Missions access to the e-BMD database (electronic - Birth, Marriage and Death certificate Database) of the Registrar General’s Department in Sri Lanka.

The pilot project is initially implemented through the Sri Lanka Embassies / Consulates General in Tokyo (Japan), Kuwait, Doha (Qatar), Milan (Italy), Toronto (Canada), Melbourne (Australia), and Dubai (UAE). Building upon this, the Ministry and the Department will actively work towards periodically expanding the service to all other Sri Lankan Missions and Posts abroad, ensuring an efficient consular service to the Sri Lankan community.

Certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates are a mandatory requirement for several purposes. The significant aspect of the pilot project is that it facilitates overseas Sri Lankans to obtain the required certified copies through Sri Lanka Missions overseas instead of their representatives in Sri Lanka having to do so on their behalf from the Office of the Registrar General.

Upon application, the authorized Sri Lanka Missions will issue certified copies through retrieval of such certificates from the e-BMD database.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, launched the pilot project at the Ministry in the presence of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Secretary of the Ministry Aruni Ranaraja, Registrar General W.R.A.N.S. Wijayasinghe and senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, Registrar General’s Department, and the Ministry.

Following the launch of the project by virtually connecting with the respective Sri Lanka Missions, Minister Herath described the initiative as an important milestone in the Government’s journey towards a digital Sri Lanka. He went on to emphasize that national initiatives on digitalization should be extended to the Sri Lankans living abroad as well adding that this project - designed and implemented within two months - showcases the government’s strong commitment and support to digitalization of services to the public.

Secretary Aruni Ranaraja in her remarks echoed the importance of delivering efficient and effective services to the public. While observing that digital platforms are an important tool for provisions of services to the public, she highlighted that through this initiative, the Ministry and Missions will enhance services to the overseas Sri Lankans.

Sri Lankan expatriates residing in countries where the pilot project is now operational can apply for certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates by submitting the application forms available at the respective Missions and Posts.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

 Colombo

07 January 2025

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar participated in an Economic Mission to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), jointly organized by Global Affairs Canada and the Provincial Government of NL. The programme held from 3^rd  to 8^th November 2024, was tailored for Heads of Mission and diplomats based in Ottawa and to highlight the province's opportunities for trade, investment, and educational collaboration.

The programme included briefing sessions by NL government officials and private sector representatives on renewable energy, oil and gas, and other key industries and field visits to Memorial University, which hosts over 4,100 international students, including Sri Lankans, and offers world-class facilities, focused on ocean-related research and innovation such as the Marine Institute. The High commissioner paid courtesy calls on Lt. Governor, Joan Marie J. Aylward and Premier, Dr. Andrew Furey, during the visit.

The visit helped to identify potential collaborations as well as opportunities to enhance trade and academic and research partnerships in the future, given NL’s strengths in fisheries, marine sciences, renewable energy and technology.

The High Commissioner, during the visit, met members of Sri Lankan community in St.John’s, comprising professionals, students, and others residing in the Province, fostering connections.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

25 th November 2024

Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2024.

Sri Lanka contested for a seat from the Asia Pacific Group, and secured 177 votes. This was the second highest number of votes within the group, and second highest overall among the thirty one members elected.

Other member states elected from the Asia Pacific Group to the UNCITRAL are Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Viet Nam, China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

Sri Lanka will serve a six (6) year term, commencing in January 2025.

UNCITRAL, established in 1966 and Headquartered in Vienna, is the core legal body in the field of international trade. Its mandate includes removing obstacles to trade and harmonising trade laws.

UNCITRAL also provides technical assistance to member States. Sri Lanka’s legislation for the facilitation of trade and investment such as the Sri Lanka Arbitration Act and the Electronic Transaction Act have benefitted from model laws by UNCITRAL.

Sri Lanka has previously served as a Member of UNCITRAL from 2004 – 2007, and 2016 – 2022.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Colombo

22 November 2024

Newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, following her appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 19 November 2024. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion. 

A career Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer, Secretary Aruni Ranaraja counts 28 years of service in the Foreign Ministry. She has served both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Missions abroad, in various capacities including as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Philippines. She also served as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Immediately prior to her appointment she served as Additional Secretary and Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since April 2024.

Mrs. Aruni Ranaraja holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the State University of Ukraine and Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the same University. In addition to her native languages, she is fluent in English and Russian, and  understands Japanese.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

19 November 2024

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 18 November 2024 at a simple ceremony. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

 As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. At the recently concluded General election, he was re-elected, obtaining the highest ever number of preferential votes in Parliamentary election history, in Sri Lanka.

 Minister Herath had also previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage, and immediately prior to re-election, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

 Colombo

18 November 2024