Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar participated in an Economic Mission to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), jointly organized by Global Affairs Canada and the Provincial Government of NL. The programme held from 3^rd  to 8^th November 2024, was tailored for Heads of Mission and diplomats based in Ottawa and to highlight the province's opportunities for trade, investment, and educational collaboration.

The programme included briefing sessions by NL government officials and private sector representatives on renewable energy, oil and gas, and other key industries and field visits to Memorial University, which hosts over 4,100 international students, including Sri Lankans, and offers world-class facilities, focused on ocean-related research and innovation such as the Marine Institute. The High commissioner paid courtesy calls on Lt. Governor, Joan Marie J. Aylward and Premier, Dr. Andrew Furey, during the visit.

The visit helped to identify potential collaborations as well as opportunities to enhance trade and academic and research partnerships in the future, given NL’s strengths in fisheries, marine sciences, renewable energy and technology.

The High Commissioner, during the visit, met members of Sri Lankan community in St.John’s, comprising professionals, students, and others residing in the Province, fostering connections.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

25 th November 2024

Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2024.

Sri Lanka contested for a seat from the Asia Pacific Group, and secured 177 votes. This was the second highest number of votes within the group, and second highest overall among the thirty one members elected.

Other member states elected from the Asia Pacific Group to the UNCITRAL are Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Viet Nam, China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

Sri Lanka will serve a six (6) year term, commencing in January 2025.

UNCITRAL, established in 1966 and Headquartered in Vienna, is the core legal body in the field of international trade. Its mandate includes removing obstacles to trade and harmonising trade laws.

UNCITRAL also provides technical assistance to member States. Sri Lanka’s legislation for the facilitation of trade and investment such as the Sri Lanka Arbitration Act and the Electronic Transaction Act have benefitted from model laws by UNCITRAL.

Sri Lanka has previously served as a Member of UNCITRAL from 2004 – 2007, and 2016 – 2022.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Colombo

22 November 2024

Newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, following her appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 19 November 2024. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion. 

A career Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer, Secretary Aruni Ranaraja counts 28 years of service in the Foreign Ministry. She has served both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Missions abroad, in various capacities including as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Philippines. She also served as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Immediately prior to her appointment she served as Additional Secretary and Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since April 2024.

Mrs. Aruni Ranaraja holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the State University of Ukraine and Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the same University. In addition to her native languages, she is fluent in English and Russian, and  understands Japanese.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

19 November 2024

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 18 November 2024 at a simple ceremony. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

 As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. At the recently concluded General election, he was re-elected, obtaining the highest ever number of preferential votes in Parliamentary election history, in Sri Lanka.

 Minister Herath had also previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage, and immediately prior to re-election, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

 Colombo

18 November 2024

High Commissioner U. L. Mohammed Jauhar undertook an official visit to Toronto recently, following the presentation of credentials to the Governor General of Canada, accrediting him as the High Commissioner to Canada. During the visit, the High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Edith Dumont and also met with business and community leaders.

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar took the opportunity to brief the Lt. Governor on the recent developments in Sri Lanka, including on the election of the new President and the forthcoming general elections. He expressed his desire to work with the Province of Ontario and the Government of the Province, in strengthening the link with Sri Lanka since it being the home for several thousands of Sri Lankan origin Canadians and residents and wished that they be partners of development of their regions in Sri Lanka.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, the Lt. Governor observed that the diversity of the residents in the province makes it stronger and adds value to the economy and culture. She appreciated in particular the contribution of Sri Lankan Canadians for the economic development and towards its multilateral fabric and hoped that they will help further strengthen the relations of the two countries. The Lt. Governor, with her vast experience in the field of education, appreciated provision of free education by the Government of Sri Lanka to all its citizens up to university level in the language of their choice.

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar visited several Sri Lankan religious places of worship in Toronto, where he paid his respects to the venerable clergy and discussed opportunities for enhanced collaboration with the community.

During the visit, the High Commissioner also engaged with Sri Lankan community leaders, representatives of business chambers, Sri Lankan associations during a reception hosted in by Consul General Thushara Rodrigo at the Consulate in Toronto. At the event, High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar reiterated the new President's vision for unity and urged Sri Lankan Canadians to work together for the progress of Sri Lanka. He highlighted the importance of the Sri Lankan diaspora contributing to the nation's development, regardless of their ethnicity, religious affiliations or ideological differences, as citizens of Sri Lanka. He also held individual meetings with leaders of various associations to further strengthen ties with the community.

Sri Lanka  High Commission

Ottawa

28^th October 2024

The High Commission has been informed that the Department of Immigration & Emigration will reinstate the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system with effect from midnight of 26 September 2024 (Sri Lanka time).

Therefore, applications for ETA could be made through the following web link:

http://eta.gov.lk

Sri Lanka High commission, Ottawa
26 September 2024