Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Santhush Woonjin Jeong paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Tuesday, 24 August, 2021 at the Foreign Ministry.

The Ambassador Woonjin extended sincere felicitations to the Foreign Minister on his new role and reiterated his country’s commitment to assist Sri Lanka in bilateral and multilateral settings on matters of mutual interest.

The discussions centered on a wide range of areas of existing and potential cooperation including education, science, information technology, digitalization, pharmaceutical production, labor migration, people-to-people exchanges and partnership in multilateral engagements. A particular emphasis was placed on the importance of development of Korean language education in Sri Lanka, enabling direct and effective exchanges between citizens, businesses and institutions between both countries.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Peiris reiterated the significance of Sri Lanka-Korea bilateral relations which continue to be mutually beneficial with potential for further expansion and expressed appreciation for Ambassador Woonjin’s sentiments towards Sri Lanka and its people.

They agreed to explore further avenues for expanding trade and economic relations between the two countries which can be diversified into new development projects and investments.

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

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

24 August, 2021

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

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris and the staff of the Foreign Ministry express their deepest condolences on the passing away of former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

The late Minister Mangala Samaraweera served two terms as the Foreign Minister from 2005-2007 and 2015-2017.  He will be remembered for his commitment and dedication to duty, for the values he stood for and for his humane qualities. Sri Lanka has lost a leader who was deeply committed to the welfare and development of his country.

At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the late Minister. The pandemic has claimed yet another life, and this time an illustrious son of Sri Lanka who served his country well. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbhana!

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

24 August, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/condolences-ffm/)

The Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General Muhammad Saad Khattak (Retd.) called on the new Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on 20 August 2021 at the Foreign Ministry.

Having congratulated Foreign Minister Peiris on his appointment, the Pakistan High Commissioner briefed him on the situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the Taliban has assured the safety of foreign nationals in Afghanistan and has also made a pledge that rights of women and children would be protected. The High Commissioner also said Pakistan hopes that Afghanistan would soon establish a peaceful government structure and integrate with the rest of the world.

Foreign Minister Peiris informed High Commissioner Khattak that Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the developments in Afghanistan and making arrangements in coordination with other friendly nations and international organizations to evacuate Sri Lankans from that country. Minister Peiris also sought assistance from the Government of Pakistan to evacuate Sri Lankan nationals from Afghanistan, to which High Commissioner Khattak responded by assuring that the fullest support would be extended by his government in that context.

Foreign Minister Peiris and the Pakistan High Commissioner Khattak discussed further scope for enhancing trade and investment opportunities between both countries under the bilateral Free Trade Agreement as well as through joint initiatives aimed at promotion of investments.

Foreign Minister Peiris appreciated the training opportunities provided by the Pakistan government for the Sri Lanka defence forces and scholarships for Sri Lankan students for their higher studies, and stressed that those opportunities and cooperation in defence matters should be further increased in the coming years.

They also explored a wide range of areas of mutual interest in which the existing longstanding ties between the two countries could be diversified into new projects advancing joint collaboration.

Foreign Secretary Prof. Jayanath Colombage was present at the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

23 August, 2021

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

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay called on the new Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris after his assumption of duties. Foreign Minister Peiris expressed appreciation and continuous support being provided by India for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Peiris thanked the Government of India for supplying emergency consignments of liquid oxygen from east Indian ports, even by using Indian naval ships.

The discussion also centred on enhancing religious tourism. Foreign Minister Peiris also appreciated the offer of US$ 15 million by the Government of India to preserve and promote Buddhist cultural sites in Sri Lanka and expressed interest in early implementation of the offer.

Both sides also discussed on the possibility of the early convening of the Indo-Lanka Joint Commission, which was last convened in 2016. It was agreed that the six Working Groups under the Joint Commission, covering specific subject areas under education, science & technology, tourism, trade & investment, fisheries and the power sector, should meet at the earliest feasible opportunity.

Matters relating to fisheries were also discussed and both sides agreed to search for a meaningful, pragmatic solution to the issues. Indian assistance to develop fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka was greatly appreciated.

The discussion also focused on the setting up of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants by India in Sri Lanka.

Both parties highlighted the pivotal importance of relations between Sri Lanka and India which have stood the test of time as close neighbours and expressed satisfaction at the current level of cooperation and resolved to raise bilateral relations in multiple sectors to even higher levels.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

23 August, 2021

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

While thanking the Government of China for the continued support provided to Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris discussed priorities for enhancing the relations between the two countries across the full spectrum during a meeting held with Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong on Friday 20 August, 2021.

The Ambassador Zhenhong extended sincere felicitations to the Foreign Minister on his new role and reiterated China’s continued commitment to assist the socio-economic development in Sri Lanka as well as the COVID-19 mitigating efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka.

The discussions centered on COVID-19 cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, economic development, poverty eradication and multilateral cooperation. In particular, the Foreign Minister Peiris requested China’s assistance for the immediate supply of liquid oxygen to meet the increasing demand.

State Minister for Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya and the Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage were associated with the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

23 August, 2021

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

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz called on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Friday 20 August, 2021 at the Foreign Ministry.   Foreign Minister Peiris thanked the United States for the assistance extended to combat COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate the environmental and socio-economic impact of the MV X-Press Pearl disaster and sought further cooperation.

Foreign Minister Peiris welcomed the recent tripartite Letter of Cooperation between the EDB, the USAID and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce under the PARTNER programme to offer training for Development Officers of the EDB.  He also welcomed private sector investments from the United States in Sri Lanka.

State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officers of the US Embassy and the Foreign Ministry were also present at the meeting.  Other bilateral matters, including convening of US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue, Joint Commission of Trade & Investment Framework Agreement and US- Sri Lanka Sectoral Dialogues were also discussed in detail.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

23 August, 2021

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

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, who assumed duties on Wednesday, met Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi at the Foreign Ministry on Friday 20 August. Minister Peiris discussed Sri Lanka’s wide ranging cooperation with the EU in the political and economic spheres.

Foreign Minister Peiris discussed EU support to Sri Lanka in addressing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed his sincere appreciation for the EU’s contribution to the COVAX facility in supporting global vaccine equity and research.  EU Ambassador Chaibi apprised Foreign Minister Peiris on EU support and collaboration in the aftermath of the X-Press Pearl marine environmental disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka, as well as in enhancing Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness in the future.

Sri Lanka’s regular engagement within the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission framework, as well as constructive cooperation existing under the EU GSP Plus monitoring process, including action underway by the Government on issues of relevance, were also discussed. Reference was made in this regard to upcoming EU missions to Sri Lanka, and to the convening of relevant working groups under the Joint Commission umbrella.

Foreign Minister Peiris reiterated the significance of EU-Sri Lanka trade relations which continues to be mutually beneficial with potential for further expansion. Matters related to cooperation in the fishery sector were also discussed.

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

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

23 August, 2021

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