Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Sri Lanka High Commission held a special ceremony at the chancery on 2nd January 2019 to ceremonially commence work for the year 2019.

The event commenced with the High Commissioner Asoka Girihagama hoisting the National Flag of Sri Lanka, followed by the singing of the national anthem. Two minutes of silence was observed to commemorate the war heroes and others who sacrificed their lives on behalf of the motherland. Thereafter, the staff took an Oath of Public Service to affirm their commitment to serving the public.

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Girihagama extended his warm wishes for the New Year and appreciated the achievements of the Mission during the year 2018. He requested the continuous dedication of the staff in order to serve the public, to strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Canada and play a pivotal role in reaching the Government’s developmental goals.

The ceremonial event concluded with traditional Sri Lankan refreshments.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

2nd January 2019

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama and staff members attended the Christmas celebrations organized by the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group and addressed the invitees on 22^nd December 2018.

At the celebration that was held at the St. John the Apostle Church, High Commissioner Girihagama commended the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group for their dedication in bringing the community together to celebrate Christmas, which is celebrated in many parts of the world.  He noted that Christmas is not only religious event and it has cultural dimensions which strengthen bonds between family members as well as communities.  High Commission participates and encourages religious and cultural events such as Thai Pongal, Avurudu, Vesak, Eid, Deepavali and Christmas annually to bring harmony, peace and friendship among the communities.

Read more: High Commissioner Asoka Girihagama attends Christmas celebrations in Ottawa

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama met Hon. Yasmin Ratansi, MP, senior member of the Federal Parliament from the ruling Liberal Party and the Chair of the Canada - Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, on 12^th December 2018.

During the meeting, High Commissioner Girihagama briefed Hon. Ratansi on the current political situation in Sri Lanka, bilateral relations between Sri Lanka - Canada, reconciliation and democracy.

The High Commissioner also discussed the need to further enhance the promotion of trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Canada and referred to Hon. Ratansi’s visit to            Sri Lanka in March 2017, when she led the Canada – Sri Lanka Business Convection 2017 delegation with 21 business leaders and two Canadian Members of Parliament. MP Ratansi visited Sri Lanka again when she led a delegation of Canadian Parliamentarians to Sri Lanka as the Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in November 2017.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

12^th December 2018

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama called on Hon. Dr. Donald Bobiash, Assistant Deputy Minister/Asia Pacific of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development (DFATD) of Canada, on 6^th December 2018.

During the call, the High Commissioner and the Assistant Deputy Minister discussed wide ranging issues, including issues of bilateral importance, economic cooperation, tourism and development assistance, between the two countries.

The meeting was the first official interaction High Commissioner Girihagama had with Assistant Deputy Minister Dr. Bobiash, following his presentation of credential to Governor General Julie Payette of Canada at a ceremony held at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa on 13^th November 2018.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

6^th December 2018

It was a pleasure meeting the new High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada, H.E. Asoka Girihagama this evening. He was the Chief Guest at the Annual General Meeting of the 35-year old Sri Lanka United National Association or SLUNA as it is popularly known throughout the world. SLUNA prides itself as the second oldest Sri Lankan socio-cultural organization formed in Canada. Its roots go back to 1983 following the ethnic unrest in Sri Lanka. A lot of progressive work has been undertaken by SLUNA since 1983 and stands today as a formidable organization by Sri Lankans for Sri Lanka.

The oldest Sri Lankan socio-cultural organization in Canada is the Canada-Sri Lanka Association (CSLA) that was formed in 1968.

The AGM was held in Toronto on Saturday, November 24th attended by a large coterie of members. Prathap Perera was his dynamic self as Master of Ceremonies. By unanimous assent, the same board of management were re-elected to office. Sarath Lokuliyana was ushered in for a second term as president of SLUNA while Keerthi Perera regained his position as General Secretary. The only change to the management structure was the election of Prathap Perera as Executive Vice President of SLUNA. Status-quo was restored with the rest of the Board of Management officers. A few community leaders were invited for the event as special guests and participated in the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. It was also an opportunity for them to meet and greet the new High Commissioner.

Read more: Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada visits Toronto for SLUNA Event

Members of the  Sri Lankan expatriate community in Toronto were briefed recently on a project to establish the world’s first ever eco-friendly palliative care hospital in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka by an Australia based charity organization, Shanthi Foundation. The hospital which will be equipped with an in-patient unit with 40 beds for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and cancer patients, as well as a clinic for such outpatients.

Founder and Chairman of the Shanthi Foundation Dr. Suharsha Kanathigoda, a Sri Lankan born specialist on palliative care travelled to Toronto recently to enlighten Sri Lankan expatriates  in the Greater Toronto Area on the importance of palliative care and to solicit their collaboration for this hospital project, following the signature of an MOU with the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka in August 2017.  The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Toronto U. L. Mohammed Jauhar graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Read more: Enhancing Palliative Care Facilities in Sri Lanka Emphasized in Toronto

Sri Lanka’s envoy to Canada, Asoka Girihagama presented his Credentials as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Governor General Julie Payette of Canada at a ceremony held at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa on 13^th November 2018. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canada and Diplomats attended the ceremony which was held to mark the presentation of credential by five envoys representing Mongolia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, The Gambia and Uzbekistan.

Addressing the five new envoys to Canada, the Governor General, in her welcome address, spoke briefly on the bilateral ties shared between each of the five countries and Canada. Referring to Sri Lanka, the Governor General noted the long standing relations between Sri Lanka and Canada and outlined issues of mutual interest.

At an audience following the presentation of credentials, the new High Commissioner among other matters, briefed the Governor General on recent developments in Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Girihagama stated that he was keen to improve trade and investment relations between Sri Lanka and Canada and encourage Canadian investments in Sri Lanka. He also stated that as a country with numerous sites and tourist attractions, Sri Lanka had immense potential to offer many diverse options to potential tourists from Canada.

High Commissioner Girihagama is a senior Diplomat counting over 26 years in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service. He has served in Embassies/High Commissions of Sri Lanka in Hungary, Austria, New Delhi, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Prior to his appointment as High Commissioner to Canada, he served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman and as Senior Director General, South Asia and SAARC.

 He is married with one daughter.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

14^th November 2018