Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) of Sri Lanka has informed that as a part of ongoing effort to strengthen the integrity of the passport issuance process, the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) has successfully introduced the mandatory collection of biometrics (fingerprint and digital face image) from passport applicants and Automated Fingerprint Identification (AFIS) checks on 15^th August 2015. The system was initially introduced for applicants applying for passports in Sri Lanka. At present, biometric data are not captured when applications are submitted through Sri Lanka Oversea Missions which has been identified as an area which could be a concern to the integrity of the passport issuance process. With the implementation of Phase II of the project, the Department has now decided to extend the system for applicants applying for passports via Sri Lanka Missions Overseas with effect from 01^st November, 2017. 

Read more: Collection of Bio Metrics from the Passport Applicants applying through Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions from 01st November 2017

The Government of Sri Lanka condemns the firing of a ballistic missile of intercontinental range by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 28 July 2017, and the series of recent similar hostile acts by DPRK in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. 

Read more: Sri Lanka condemns hostile acts by North Korea which threatens international peace and security

H.E. the High Commissioner with the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Foreign Minister at the 150^th  Anniversary of Confederation

Your Excellency Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia,

His Excellency Bryce Hutchesson, High Commissioner of Australia,

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is with great pleasure I extend a warm welcome to Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia to Sri Lanka. The visit is significant, since it coincides with the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Read more: Statement by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs following bilateral talks with Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia on 19th July 2017 in Colombo

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Julie Bishop will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 19-20 July 2017.

Read more: Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Julie Bishop to visit Sri Lanka

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 17-21 July 2017. 

Read more: Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan to visit Sri Lanka

Media Release

Seventeen medical professionals of Sri Lankan origin who are members of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Norway, the United States, France, Bahrain and Germany worked in partnership with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, alongside local doctors in Kalutara district from 2^nd to 6^th July and in Matara district from 7^th July to 10th July, including in villages and flood relief camps. Within the 10 day period, approximately 780 patients were given medical, dental and ophthalmological treatment that included a children’s home and orphanage. 300 pairs of reading glasses and sunglasses were also gifted to people by the doctors.

Read more: The contribution of Medical Professionals from Overseas assisting the flood affected in Kalutara and Matara Districts felicitated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs