Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

I am delighted to convey my warm greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the SAARC Charter Day. 

Three decades ago, our countries established SAARC with the conviction that regional co-operation among countries of South Asia is mutually beneficial, desirable and necessary for promoting the welfare and improving the quality of life of the people of our region.  Since then, SAARC has witnessed steady progress in a wide range of areas identified for co-operation and we can take some pride on our achievements since 1985.  Nevertheless, our regular assessment of SAARC has prompted us to appreciate the need for making the organization more result oriented and people centric. The declaration “Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity”, of the 18^th SAARC Summit, in fact reflects this collective desire and provides a road map for our forward movement. 

The Government and people of Sri Lanka join me in extending warm felicitations to the people of South Asia, as we commemorate the 30^th Anniversary of the SAARC Charter Day on 8^th December.

Our region is characterized by diverse cultures, ethnic groups, religions and languages nurturing over centuries the finest works of philosophy, arts & culture, music, dance, attire and cuisine.  Common civilizational links bind us through values of unity and tolerance.  SAARC’s strength is in its diversity and harmonious coexistence.

Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon greeting the Sri Lanka Air Force crew at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Hulhule' Island, Maldives

Continuing Sri Lanka’s assistance to Maldives to address the ongoing water crisis in the capital, Male, the Sri Lanka Air Force in a special humanitarian operation today (11 December 2014), transported from Singapore to Maldives, the essential spares and accessories for repair of the desalination facility in Male. Due to the size and dimensions of the cargo, it was not feasible to dispatch the equipment on a commercial flight.  Therefore, acceding to a request from the Government of Maldives, President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed the Sri Lanka Air Force to undertake the transport of the equipment to Maldives on an urgent basis. 

The Government of Sri Lanka commenced delivery of drinking water to the capital Malé by the evening of 5^th December. Malé is facing a severe shortage of drinking water, following a fire on the previous day at its sole water purification plant which disrupted the water supply to the city, and prompted the authorities to declare a "disaster situation." Malé is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and is home to over 100,000 people, being approximately one third of the total population of the Maldives.