Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Sri Lanka’s 73rd anniversary of independence was celebrated by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, Canada on 4th February 2021 at the Official Residence of the High Commissioner.

The Independence Day events commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Mrs. Sithara Khan, the Acting High Commissioner and the singing of the national anthem of Sri Lanka. Multi-faith religious observances by the venerable members of the Maha Sangha and respected religious dignitaries representing the Hindu, Catholic and Islam faiths were conducted to bestow blessings on Sri Lanka and the people of the country.

An excerpt from the vision of H.E the President of Sri Lanka outlined in the national policy document “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” was read on the occasion followed by the reading of the Independence Day messages issued by the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Foreign Minister.

The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Chandira Weerasinghe, Attaché, followed by traditional Sri Lankan refreshments.

Due to the prevailing lockdown in Ottawa in view of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the event was attended by the members of staff of the High Commission.

Sri Lanka High Commission Ottawa

4 February 2021

Notice to the Public

Kindly note that in terms of section 102 (1) of Inland Revenue Act (IRA) that every person chargeable with Income Tax shall obtain the registration with the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue (CGIR) via website: http://www.ird.gov.lk/. Accordingly, any Sri Lankan expatriate, a dual citizen or a permanent citizen having a taxable income as per provisions of IRA is mandatory to register under the said section.

Further to that, the Minister in terms of section 102(3) of IRA may specify the additional classes of persons who are required to get the registration under IRA irrespective of the chargeability there under.

The gazette notification bearing No.2334/21 dated 31/05/2023 issued in line with the above provision specifies such additional categories including those who are at the age of 18 years as at the date of 31/12/2023 and attaining such age on or after the date of 01/01/2024.

The said gazette notification is not applicable in the case of Sri Lankan non-residents. Therefore, any Sri Lankan non-resident person is not required to get the registration as above.

However, the government budget for the year 2024 has made proposals to mandate the TIN requirement for the purposes of following activities within Sri Lanka. Therefore, any non-resident person intending to perform such an activity is advised to be registered with the CGIR.

·         Opening a current Account

·         Obtaining approval for a building plan

·         Registering a motor vehicle, renewing the revenue license

·         Registering title deeds on lands.

More information could be accessed via: http://www.ird.gov.lk/en/Lists/Latest%20News%20%20Notices/Attachments/555/CMN27122023_E%20-%20Registration.pdf

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

Full text of the speech made by His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 73rd Independence Day – February 4, 2021

Today marks the 73rd anniversary of our nation gaining independence from colonial rule. On this day we pay our respects to all the leaders from the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and other sections of the population who made various sacrifices to win our independence.

I also pay my tribute to the brave war heroes who sacrificed their lives and underwent great hardships to preserve our nation’s independence and sovereignty.

We have faced many challenges as a nation in the 73 years since our independence. From time to time, we have had to face religious and ethnic conflicts, racist and terrorist activities, undue external influences, constitutional crises, and many other obstacles. The challenges of establishing national security, achieving true reconciliation amongst various communities of our nation, and building a strong economy that can deliver sustainable economic development and eliminate poverty still lie ahead of us.

At a juncture when our nation’s heritage, its traditions, its national identity and patriotism were under serious threat, more than 6.9 million people elected me as President to provide the leadership needed to reestablish national security and overcome the many challenges facing our country.

I am a Sinhala Buddhist leader and I will never hesitate to state so. I govern this country in accordance with Buddhist teachings. Within the Buddhist philosophic tradition of peaceful coexistence which gives due respect to all religions and ethnicities, every person in this country irrespective of his or her ethnic or religious identification has the right to enjoy the freedom as equals under the nation’s legal framework.

Traitorous elements always band together and seek to marshal domestic and foreign forces against the leadership that upholds indigenous way of life and country’s sovereignty. Such elements mislead the public through false propaganda in a subtle way. I request the people of our nation to always think critically before acting. If people make assessments based on facts and take decisions only after finding out the truth, no one will be able to mislead the public.

The public has given the current Government a mandate to execute the policies articulated in my vision statement “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”.

I have sworn as the nation’s leader to always protect our nation’s independence, unitary status, territorial integrity and sovereignty on behalf of our future generations. I will always uphold that pledge.

Sri Lanka is a democratic nation. Every citizen who lives in this country has equal rights. We reject any efforts to divide our citizens based on ethnic or religious reasons. We always strive to protect the fundamental rights and human rights of all our citizens, and always stand for the principle of one nation, one law.