Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Special Envoy of Chinese Government visits Sri Lanka

FM-DFM

The Special Envoy of the Government of China, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Liu Jianchao undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka from 5 to 7 February 2015. During the visit, the Chinese Special Envoy paid calls on President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The visiting dignitary held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs andalso met Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. The discussions focused on issues of mutual interest covering bilateral political, economic, development cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

Declaration of Peace by the Government of Sri Lanka

I. Acknowledging a recommendation made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission that the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka requires a full acknowledgement of the tragedy of the conflict and a collective act of contrition, the Government of Sri Lanka, at the official national ceremony held yesterday, 4 February, to mark the 67th Independence Day, made a "Declaration of Peace".

Address by President Maithripala Sirisena of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the 67th Anniversary of Independence at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte on February 04, 2015

Ven. Members of the Maha Sangha,

Reverend Clergy of other faiths,

Hon. Prime Minister,

Hon. Speaker,

Hon. Ministers and Members of Parliament,

Hon. Governors,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

My Dear Friends,

As we celebrate this 67th anniversary of the dawn of Independence, after nearly two centuries as a nation subject to colonial rule, it is most fortunate that I am able to address you at this historic city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, today.

This occasion is of special significance because we commemorate the dawn of freedom at a time coincident with the taking of clear and resolute steps to firmly establish democracy and good governance, the Rule of Law, and a truly meaningful parliamentary system; to establish a long lasting and stable structure of good governance in keeping with the mandate given by the people at the recent presidential election.

Shirani’s swansong

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CJ 43 says her fight was battle for judicial independence, integrity

On her final day on the bench of the Supreme Court, 24 hours after her reinstatement as lawful Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake speaks out for the first time on the ‘turmoil and peril’ of the past two years since her impeachment. She told the ceremonial chamber that was packed to capacity that over the past 746 days since the impeachment watching the downfall of the Supreme Court had been as painful of the personal impact of her unlawful sacking.

Former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake resigned from her post yesterday – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

Canada welcomes reinstatement of Shirani as CJ

Canadian Government said it welcomed the reinstatement of Shirani Bandaranayake as Chief Justice of the Sri Lankan Supreme Court.

“Canada welcomes the reinstatement of Shirani Bandaranayake as Chief Justice of the Sri Lankan Supreme Court. In January 2013, at the time of the Chief Justice’s impeachment, I expressed deep concern about the opaque and politicized nature of her impeachment, an action that severely undermined the legitimacy of the rule of law in Sri Lanka,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said.