Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Sri Lanka continues to monitor the developments in Afghanistan and remains concerned about the situation, including its humanitarian aspect.

Sri Lanka has been facilitating, with the assistance of its international partners, evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan.  As of 30th August 2021, sixty six (66) Sri Lankans have been evacuated and seven (07) more remain to be evacuated while twenty-one (21) Sri Lankans have opted to remain in Afghanistan for the time being.

Sri Lanka hopes that all those who possess travel authorization from other countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to the points of departure and travel out of Afghanistan.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

30 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-afghan-2/)

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at a courtesy call paid by the High Commissioner of Australia David Holly on 25 August 2021, discussed avenues for advancing bilateral relations with Australia across multiple fields of mutual interest.

While appreciating Australia’s continued assistance on numerous fronts, Foreign Minister Peiris particularly, underlined Sri Lanka’s commitment and interest to enhance cooperation in countering irregular migration by sea, combatting COVID-19, education, technical & vocational training, economic and investment sectors, which was reciprocated by Australia.

High Commissioner Holly extended sincere felicitations on the appointment of the Foreign Minister and reiterated that Australia was ready to assist Sri Lanka in the socio-economic development process.

Being Indian Ocean neighbours, the two sides identified the importance of close collaboration in the maritime field, including in the prevention of future maritime disasters and cooperation in international & regional forums on issues of shared interest.

Foreign Minister Peiris and the Australian High Commissioner Holly also agreed to jointly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia in 2022.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Ministry participated in the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

26 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-australia/)

The Consular Affairs and Overseas Sri Lankans Division of the Foreign Ministry authenticates various documents through the Electronic Documentation Attestation System (e-DAS), which was implemented in 2017, facilitating Sri Lankans to travel abroad mainly for job employment and higher studies. Under Pre-COVID-19 environment, more than 1000 service seekers from different areas of the country obtained assistance daily through this system.  The Electronic Document Attestation(e-DAS) is carried out through an innovate digital platform, aimed at improving and streamlining the service with speedy process, which is linked in real time with Sri Lankan Missions abroad, Foreign Missions based in Colombo, Regional Consular offices, as well as other government institutes.

In addition to verifying documents, other services such as facilitating payment of compensation, unpaid salaries, and social security entitlements to the beneficiaries; repatriation of human remains of Sri Lankan nationals and Sri Lankan origin foreign passport holders; facilitating the repatriation of stranded and destitute Sri Lankans abroad; and getting fishing vessels and fishermen in foreign custody released are facilitated by this division. Also, Regional Consular Offices established under the programme on Decentralization of Consular Services within the purview of the Ministry.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry was compelled to limit the number of officers at the Ministry as well as public visits, adhering to the public health guidelines and restrictions imposed to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Though, as precautionary measures, amidst some restrictions, the Consular Affairs and Overseas Sri Lankans Division continued its services to the public, taking into consideration their urgent requirements with a limited number of staff and resources. Hence, the public in need have had to wait longer than the usual time in the queue to obtain consular services.

The Consular Affairs and Overseas Sri Lankans Division hopes to resume normal service at the earliest possible opportunity.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

25 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-consular/)

The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka Tanja Gonggrijp paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Wednesday 25 August at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo.  Ambassador Gonggrijp extended her warm felicitations to Foreign Minister Peiris at the outset of the courtesy meeting.

During discussions, Foreign Minister Peiris highlighted the long and fruitful relationship between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands which has influenced the legal system, architecture, cuisine, culture and lifestyle, as well as various facets of the socio-political system in Sri Lanka.  The Minister Peiris in this regard made specific reference to the legacy of Roman Dutch law which has contributed to the evolution of the Sri Lankan legal system.

With regard to contemporary relations, the Foreign Minister Peiris reiterated the strong resolve of the Government of Sri Lanka to reinforce areas of cooperation with the Netherlands in the political, economic and cultural spheres, enhance connectivity and people-to-people interactions, as well as to further strengthen collaboration in multilateral fora.

Reciprocating the sentiments of the Foreign Minister Peiris, Ambassador Gonggrijp elaborated on the many areas of synergy and cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands which are harnessed for mutual benefit.  In this regard, the Ambassador Gonggrijp referred to Dutch technical expertise in the fields of agriculture, dairy industry, culture, heritage management and restoration, which are being utilised in programmes of ongoing collaboration with Sri Lanka.

The Ambassador Gonggrijp also referred to value-added production and exports in the agriculture sector, capacity building in the dairy sector, and use of organic fertiliser and sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka, as areas where there can be further collaboration with the Netherlands.  There was agreement to further explore areas of synergy for mutual benefit.

The State Minister for Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry participated in the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

25 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-dutch/)

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka Holger Lothar Seubert paid a courtesy call on the new Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L. Peiris on Tuesday 24 August at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Peiris underscored the significance and multifaceted nature of Sri Lanka - Germany bilateral ties ranging from political, economic relations to longstanding cultural links and people-to-people contacts.

Ambassador Seubert highlighted the vibrant and productive cooperation existing between the two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally.  He also referred to the success of the recently concluded political consultations between Sri Lanka and Germany which covered a wide range of sectors.

Referring to the strong presence of reputed German companies in Sri Lanka, the Foreign Minister invited Germany to further optimise investment and trade opportunities in Sri Lanka towards mutual benefit.

Identifying development cooperation as an important dimension of bilateral cooperation, Foreign Minister Peiris expressed his sincere appreciation for the valuable vocational training opportunities provided to Sri Lankan youth through the German Technical Training Institutes in Katubedda, Kilinochchi, and the new training institute being set up in Matara.  Ambassador Seubert apprised the Foreign Minister on the Mahamodara Maternity Hospital (Helmut Kohl Hospital) in Galle, which is constructed with German assistance.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Ministry participated in the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

25 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-german/)

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa and Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto virtually hold the first International Day of Remembrance and tribute to the victims of terrorism on 21^stAugust 2021 at 6.00 p.m.

The General Assembly, in its resolution 72/165 (2017), established 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism in order to honor and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The programme commenced with observing a minute of silence in memory of all victims of terrorism. The Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada, Mrs. Sithara Khan delivered the welcome address. Consul General for Sri Lanka in Toronto Mr. Kapila Jayaweera also made an address. Hon. Yasmin Ratansi, Member of Parliament for Don. Valley East Canada and the Chair of the Canada Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group who addressed the event recalled her visits to Sri Lanka and to the Northern and Eastern Provinces and stated that “It was important to me visit some of the places where young kids who were taken by the LTTE to fight for them and hear the horror stories that Tamils themselves were used as human shields by the LTTE”.

The Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sarath Chandrasekara, Sessional Professor in Sociology at the university of Toronto and McMaster University, former Civil Servant, Canadian Civil Service of the Federal Public Service and Professor of Social Work at the National Institute of Social Development (NISD) Sri Lanka. In his address, Dr. Chandrasekara defined ‘terrorism’ and genocide according to the UN definitions and also explained the countries which were vulnerable to terrorist attacks and how it had affected the social life of people in the world. He also referred to Sri Lanka’s experience and stated that the “LTTE forced people to contribute and Canada was a leading contributor in the amount of Canadian Dollars 280,000 per month which went for arms purchase. Tamil businesses in Canada were asked to pay 10% to 20% of their income or profit to the so called liberation war. Although Canadian RCMP was fully aware about of these transactions they were not allowed to publicize the details”. He further stated that the LTTE recruited young children as cadre and used women as suicide bombers. He also stated that the LTTE invaded public schools and recruited students, children to their cadre and also disable women were used as suicide bombers”

The event which was well attended was compered by Mrs. Lashinka Dammullage, Counsellor of the High Commission.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

21^st August 2021

(youTube)

Ambassador of Kuwait Khalaf Bu Dhhair called on the new Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on 24 August, 2021.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Dhhair extended greetings from the Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and expressed the Government of Kuwait's willingness to enhance bilateral trade and economic relations with the Government of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the Ambassador Dhhair said that the Government of Kuwait was looking forward to employing skilled workers from Sri Lanka in the health and energy sectors.

Responding to the remarks made by the Ambassador Dhhair, Foreign Minister Peiris expressed that the Government of Sri Lanka and the State of Kuwait enjoy extremely cordial relations and during his tenure, was looking forward to strengthening Sri Lanka's relations with the Gulf countries. Minister Peiris also conveyed the Sri Lankan Government's appreciation to the Emir of Kuwait for the donation granted by the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society for the COVID – 19 emergency health sector requirements. The Minister Peiris also noted the valuable support extended by Kuwait to the Government to Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council and other multilateral forums.

Foreign Minister Peiris and the Ambassador Dhhair discussed the possibilities of further expanding the Trade and Investment ties between both countries into new areas such as energy, hotel and tourism and urban housing projects through a partnership between public and private sector institutions. They also noted that there were new areas of bilateral cooperation that are yet to be explored such as Tourism, Health and Energy sectors which would be mutually beneficial in strengthening the already existing cordial relations between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry also participated at the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

24 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-kuwait/)