Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

India keen to make Sri Lanka a closest friend in economic affairs – PM Modi

Pres.Sirisena_and_PM_Modi

The Indian government is most keen to make Sri Lanka among the closest friends of India in the economic sector and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s official visit to India give great strength to this said the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said so at the discussions with President Sirisena at Hyderabad House in New Delhi this afternoon.

Media Statement on Foreign Minister’s Official Visit to China

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Mangala Samaraweera will undertake an official visit to China on 27-28 February 2015, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

17^th February 2015

Foreign Minister Samaraweera concludes successful visit to the US capital

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera visited Washington DC from 11-12 February. The visit which was his first to the US capital since assuming office as the Minister of Foreign Affairs followed the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal to Colombo on 2-3 February and coincided with the completion of 30 days in office of the new Government in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera underscores the importance of shared common values and ideals between SL and US

SLFM-PressClub

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera, addressing the National Press Club in Washington DC yesterday, highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka and the United States are two countries that shared “common values and ideals based on a commitment to democratic principles and governance.” The Minister pointed out that people to people contact between the two countries pre-dated diplomatic relations in 1948 by 150 years.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera meets US Secretary of State John Kerry

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held official talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington DC on Thursday 12 February 2015.

Remarks by

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera before their meeting.

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

February 12, 2015

SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s my great pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Samaraweera from Sri Lanka. And this is an exciting moment for all of us here because Sri Lanka on January 8th had an historic election in which there has been really a vote for change, a vote to move Sri Lanka in a new direction, to open up greater accountability and possibility for the preservation of human rights, for democracy, for fighting corruption and putting together a government that will speak for and to the people. And we’re particularly excited about the 100-day plan that the new government has put forward. We wish them well in the days ahead, and we’re going to talk today about President Sirisena’s thoughts about how to move Sri Lanka away from 30 years of war with the Tamils to a country that is inclusive and prosperous and peaceful.