Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Indian External Affairs Minister, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj paid an official visit to Sri Lanka from 06 to 07 March 2015. This is the first visit to Sri Lanka by Ms. Swaraj in her capacity as Minister of External Affairs. 

During her visit, Minister Swaraj met with her Sri Lankan counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera and held an extensive and cordial discussion covering a wide range of areas relating to bilateral cooperation. 

Read more: Indian External Affairs Minister concludes successful visit to Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 13 to 14 March 2015 at the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena.

On 13^th March, Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome including a Guard of Honour and Gun Salute. President Maithripala Sirisena will hold bilateral discussions with the visiting Prime Minister and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will host a lunch in honour Prime Minister Modi. The Indian Prime Minister will address a Special Sitting of Parliament. He will also lay a wreath at the IPKF Memorial and visit the Mahabodhi Society. President Maithripala Sirisena will host a State Banquet in honour of the visiting Prime Minister.

Read more: Official visit of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka

The Indian External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will visit Sri Lanka from 6th to 7th March 2015 for discussions with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The discussions will focus on matters of mutual bilateral interest as well as on arrangements relating to the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month. Smt. Sushma Swaraj is also expected to call on President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the visit. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera addressing the High Level segment on the opening day of the 28^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, on 2^nd March 2015 in Geneva briefed the Council on developments in Sri Lanka following the presidential election on 8^th January and the new Government taking office. The Minister noted the Government was committed to engage and work in cooperation with a range of international organisations and countries and seek solutions to issues through dialogue, cooperation, understanding and learning.

The full Statement is as follows:- 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo 

2^nd March 2015

Read more: Foreign Minister addresses High-level Segment of HRC in Geneva

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera concluded a successful two-day official visit to China today, during which he paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and also held extensive bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as well as met with the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Wang Jiarui and the Minister of Commerce, Gao Hucheng.

Read more: Sri Lanka and China reiterate their firm commitment to strengthen friendship and bilateral relations

The Under Secretary General of the Department of Political Affairs of the United Nations Jeffrey Feltman will visit Sri Lanka from 28 February to 3 March 2015. This visit which follows the meeting on 13 February between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in New York manifests Sri Lanka’s renewed engagement with the United Nations.

Read more: UN Under Secretary General to visit Sri Lanka

The Government and people of Sri Lanka are deeply saddened by the loss of over 187 lives, injury to over 129 people and damage to property resulting from the deadly avalanches that occurred on 26^th February, 2015 in the Panjshir, Nuristan, Badakhshan Provinces.

Sri Lanka extends deepest condolences to the families of those bereaved, wish the injured a speedy recovery and express confidence that those affected would rebuild their lives through the inherent courage and resilience of the Afghan people.