Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Foreign Minister G.L.Peiris has sought greater access in the burgeoning Brazilian market for Sri Lankan export products. The Minister made this request during a meeting with the Ambassador of Brazil to Sri Lanka Sergio Luiz Canaes at the Foreign Ministry on 29 September 2021. Foreign Minister Peiris, welcoming Ambassador Canaes conveyed Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to forge closer relations with Brazil in diverse areas of bilateral interest.

At the meeting, both Minister Peiris and Ambassador Canaes agreed to work towards reaching common ground on several major global issues of mutual interest, including climate change, renewable energy, reforms of multilateral institutions and South-South cooperation. The Foreign Minister conveyed his interest to reinvigorate stronger ties with Brazil and the entire South and Central American region in the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s longstanding Non-Aligned tradition.

Underlining the unexplored trade potential that exists between the two countries, Minister Peiris outlined the market opportunities available in Brazil for authentic Sri Lankan products, such as tea, spices and precious and semi-precious gemstones. He also invited Ambassador Canaes to actively promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination among Brazilian travellers.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

01 October 2021

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

Ambassador of the State of Palestinian in Sri Lanka, Dr. Zuhair M.H. Dar Zaid, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Professor G.L Peiris on 28th September at the Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine extended warm wishes from the President, Government and people of the State of Palestine, reiterated the State of Palestine's continued support for Sri Lanka and stated his intention to strengthen the existing friendly relations.

Minister Peiris elaborated that former President and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had founded the Sri Lanka Palestinian Friendship society, as a young Member of Parliament, and had served as its Chairman for the past 25 years. The Minister also highlighted that Sri Lanka had continuously supported the Palestinian cause and in recognition a road had been named after former President Rajapaksa in Ramallah.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the support Palestine extended to Sri Lanka in the multilateral arena, including at the Human Rights Council, where they had opposed countries being singled out for political purposes and urged that countries be allowed to solve their national issues.

The Minister assured Sri Lanka's continued support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent, sovereign state based on the relevant UN resolutions. Both reiterated their strong commitment to having greater cooperation for mutual benefits.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

30 September, 2021

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

The High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka Michael Appleton paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry on 29 September 2021.

High Commissioner Appleton congratulated Prof. Peiris for his appointment as the Foreign Minister and expressed commitment to work closely with him in the future to enhance the partnership between the two countries to further heights. He mentioned that New Zealand has partnered with Sri Lanka in several fields, especially in the dairy and agricultural sectors, and it is high time now for both countries to identify new areas of cooperation in a spirit of friendship.

Prof. Peiris, while recalling the mutually beneficial partnership between Sri Lanka and New Zealand expressed his confidence that the opening up of the resident New Zealand High Commission in Colombo would immensely contribute to the further advancement of bilateral engagements between the two countries.

Noting Sri Lanka as one of the oldest countries that enjoy the universal adult franchise, Prof. Peiris explained the ongoing electoral reform process in Sri Lanka intending to expand the democratic representation in the Parliament and other legislative councils. Underlining the positive nature of the current electoral system in New Zealand, Minister informed that Sri Lanka wishes to learn from the electoral system in New Zealand and extract elements that are capable of adaptation to the domestic system.  Prof. Peiris further informed that the government is very keen on reviving the domestic dairy industry given its wider impact on the farming community and consumers in the country and sought to continue the partnership with the New Zealand side to this effect.  Collaboration in several other spheres including counterterrorism, trade, investment, and tourism was also discussed.

New Zealand opened its resident diplomatic Mission in Sri Lanka in August 2021, following a mutual agreement reached by the two countries to establish resident Missions, and Michael Appleton functions as the first resident High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

30 September 2021

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

Myanmar Ambassador to Sri Lanka U Han Thu called on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry on 28 September 2021.

While congratulating Prof. Peiris on his appointment as the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Thu briefed the Minister on the current political situation in Myanmar, and actions that are being taken to bring normalcy to the country, including holding a free and fair multiparty election in the next two years.

Minister Peiris, while recalling the historical links between the two countries, mentioned that Buddhism and culture are the key pillars of close bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Myanmar. He further mentioned that Sri Lanka strongly supports social and political stability within an inclusive democratic framework in Myanmar, as the latter is essential for the progress and prosperity of the people of Myanmar.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Myanmar in Colombo.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

29 September, 2021

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

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris received High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton, and conducted an open and wide-ranging discussion in Colombo on Tuesday (28). During the engagement, Minister Peiris and the UK Envoy discussed several key issues pertaining to the close bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister referred to the recent cordial engagement with British Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad on the side-lines of the 76th UN General Assembly in New York, following up on previous communication with the UK’s Minister of State. This dialogue, the Minister stated, is important in the context of Lord Ahmad’s initiatives to engage the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK and to generate a more realistic understanding of contemporary developments in Sri Lanka. This is expected to be further enhanced by a proposed visit by the UK State Minister later in 2021.

Several key areas impacting on future Sri Lanka – UK bilateral relations were discussed, including the recent initiatives to foster and develop domestic reconciliation measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government. These included the work of the institutions dealing with national unity and reconciliation, missing persons, accountability and reparations. High Commissioner Hulton also raised concerns relating to certain high profile Sri Lankan cases that are of current interest and focus. Some of these issues were adverted to in the context of Sri Lanka’s ongoing engagement with the UN Human Rights Council.

Minister Peiris and High Commissioner Hulton also discussed enhanced trade and investment opportunities for UK businesses in Sri Lanka – especially new opportunities in the Port City development. Widening intra-Commonwealth trade and economic cooperation and related issues were also referred to.

Going forward, Sri Lanka’s positive commitments in support of global environmental initiatives in the larger context of participation in the upcoming COP26 Summit in the UK and its ongoing efforts in this sphere were also discussed.

Minister Peiris expressed his appreciation of the close, long-standing, historically significant and enduring relationship between the two countries and said he expected the fruitful and productive partnership to continue.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

29 September, 2021

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

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and British Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon had discussions recently at the Sri Lanka Mission in New York.

The Ministers discussed a wide range of issues including trade, investment opportunities available in the Port City and elsewhere, resumption of tourism, and matters relating to development and reconciliation with particular reference to relations with the diaspora.

Minister Peiris briefed Lord Ahmad in detail about the substantial progress on the ground in a variety of sectors by domestic institutions, despite constraints imposed by the Covid pandemic.

Lord Ahmad accepted with pleasure the invitation by Minister Peiris to visit Sri Lanka at his early convenience.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

26 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-british-ministers/)

South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Dr. Naledi Pandor received Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Permanent Mission of South Africa in New York, on Friday 24 September 2021, for a bilateral meeting, on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage.

Minister Pandor congratulated the Minister on his appointment as Foreign Minister and recalled the close and friendly bilateral ties between the two countries. Minister Peiris recalled his long association with South Africa dating to his Doctoral work where he had visited South African Universities and conducted a series of lectures on Constitutional Law.  The Minister also recalled fondly his close friendships and connections with prominent and leading South African Minister Dullah Omar, and leading personalities Roelf Meyer and Ebrahim Ebrahim, who played pivotal roles in the freedom struggle against the Apartheid government and several visits undertaken to South Africa at a High Level. He said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had attended the funeral of the late President Nelson Mandela.

The Minister highlighted that Sri Lanka had closely looked at South Africa’s rich experience and unique history in the areas of reconciliation and truth, and while noting that many aspects were particular to South Africa’s own national experience, Sri Lanka had carefully reflected on some aspects of this experience. Minister Peiris briefed his South African counterpart about Sri Lanka’s own initiatives, including its own Office of Missing Persons and Office of Reparations and their contribution towards Sri Lanka’s post conflict development and national unity.

Minister Pandor highlighted that South Africa was pleased to share their experiences and lessons with countries looking to address post conflict issues and that they continued to learn lessons in addressing past human rights abuses and on issues related to reparations.

Minister Peiris invited his counterpart to visit Sri Lanka to expand on the rich bilateral relations between the two sides. Minister Pandora also extended an invitation for the Minister to visit South Africa and renew close ties. The two Ministers appreciated the deep and close ties of friendship between the two countries and close cooperation in the multilateral arena.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

26 September 2021

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