Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

REVISED INSTRUCTIONS ON PCR TESTING AND QUARANTINE PROCEDURES FOR DPLS ENTERING SRI LANKA

Friday, 05 June 2020 11:41

Following the revised instructions issued on 4 June 2020 by the Presidential Secretariat on the PCR testing and quarantine procedures for the members of the Diplomatic corps based/attached in Colombo when they enter/re-enter Sri Lanka in order to prevent and minimize the risk of the spread of the Coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, took immediate action to convey the same to all Diplomatic Missions, the Representation Offices of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, International Organizations, Honorary Consulates resident in Colombo through diplomatic channels.

Poson Poya Day Message of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka

Friday, 05 June 2020 01:43

Message of H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on the World Environment Day 2020

Friday, 05 June 2020 01:33

FOREIGN SECRETARY ARYASINHA DISCUSSES THE MANY CHALLENGES AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Sunday, 31 May 2020 15:24

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha in an interview with the Ceylon Today newspaper, published on 31 May 2020 has discussed the many challenges faced by the Foreign Relations Ministry in dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic both within and outside of Sri Lanka.

Full interview is at : https://ceylontoday.lk/news-more/14980

SPECIAL RADIO DISCUSSION WITH FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA

Saturday, 30 May 2020 23:55

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a special radio discussion broadcast live on the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) “Podu Jana Charitha” Programme on 30 May 2020 from 8.00 – 9.00 am

https://drive.google.com/file/d/123kxRMx6MeJobBmy7Yoiap2AInxnWyZX/view?usp=sharing

FOREIGN MINISTER REASSURES CONTINUED REPATRIATION OF MIGRANT WORKERS

Friday, 29 May 2020 15:22

Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has reassured that the repatriation of migrant workers from the Middle East as well as other regions will continue, in a manner sensitive to the vulnerability of these communities, particularly those who have lost legal status and/or employment in their host countries. This will be done in consultation with the COVID Task Force, in view of the considerable strain presently placed on the health sector and quarantine centres following the increased number of COVID infected persons who have recently returned from Kuwait. It was noted that it is proposed to explore the possibility of getting PCR tests done prior to boarding all flights in future.

The Minister made these observations at a meeting held this evening (29 May 2020) at the Foreign Ministry attended by Foreign Secretary RavinathaAryasinha, Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations SecretarySarathAbeygunawardana, Chairman Sri Lankan Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) Kamal Ratwatte, and relevant officials of the two ministries and the SLBFE.

It was noted that according to the latest update, as at 27 May, 42,522 persons from 123 countries were seeking to return to Sri Lanka. Of these, migrant workers amounted to 34,881 of which 20,893 are living in the Middle East, while 4,961 were short term visa holders, and 2,016 were students.