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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Thai Pongal Message of H.E. the President

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FOREIGN MINISTERS OF SRI LANKA AND THE PHILIPPINES AGREE TO ENHANCE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries agreed yesterday (22) to focus on new strategies to further strengthen the existing economic, political, social and international relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The agreement has been reached during a telephone conversation that Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had with Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, to congratulate the Government of the Philippines on the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines. During this telephone conversation, the two sides also discussed about the establishment of an Embassy of the Philippines in Sri Lanka and the commencement of flights between the two countries. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines has agreed to share their best practices in securing many employment opportunities for Phillipino workers in foreign countries and further, he has agreed to identify the methods available and to assist Sri Lanka in this endeavour. During the talks, both parties have agreed to work together in the manufacturing and services sector and to provide greater opportunities for the exchange of views between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries.

Minister Gunawardena expressed the gratitude of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Government of the Philippines for its support over the past 60 years in maintaining friendly diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

23 January 2021

Professor Wimal Rankaduwa appointed Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Commission of Appointment of Honorary Consul for the province of Nova Scotia was ceremoniously handed over by Actg. High Commissioner Anzul Banu Jhan to Professor Wimal Rankaduwa on 04^th January 2024, at the office of the High Commission in Ottawa.

Actg. High Commissioner emphasized on the need to focus on promoting bilateral trade, investment and tourism apart from routine consular assistance. She also informed that Sri Lanka is strategically located in the Indian Ocean and has potential to become a transshipment hub for Canadian Agricultural goods. Honorary Consul emphasized that Halifax being an important Canadian port and that relations between ports of both countries could be looked in to. He also said he plans to build on his network with the community to facilitate outreach and consular service. Minister Counsellor Lashinka Dammullage and the consular staff briefed him on the consular functions that come under his purview in the province of Nova Scotia.

The office of the Honorary Consul is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and he could be reached on +1-902-449-0727 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Honorary Consul Rankaduwa is a Sri Lankan-Canadian academic and an outstanding community service leader living in the Maritimes since 1987. Currently, he is a Professor of Economics at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), where he has served as a member of the Board of Governors and the Senate for several years. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the Dalhousie University (DAL) and the Department of Economics at Saint Mary’s University( SMU) in Nova Scotia. Before joining UPEI he taught at Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia, University of Peradeniya and University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Dalhousie University and B.A. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

In 1990, he launched the first ever Sri Lankan- Canadian series of radio ‘Voice of Taprobane’ and in 1995, he also found the television program ‘Taprobane’ to promote cultural awareness through creative entertainment.

He is one of the recipients of Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes of Canada in 2018. His service was also recognized by Resolution No. 3501 in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by the Honorable Lena Metledge Diab,ECNS,MLA, Minister of Immigration, on May 04, 2016.

He is married to Ms. Sandya Rankaduwa and blessed with four children.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

04^th January 2024

SRI LANKA IS OPEN FOR TOURIST ARRIVALS: FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA INFORMS ACD MEMBER STATES AT THE 17TH MINISTERIAL MEETING

2021-1-22

In his address at the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) held on 21 January 2021 under the theme “New Normal and Safe and Healthy Tourism”, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that Sri Lanka opened its borders after much consultation, preparation following best practices, keeping safety and security of its citizens as paramount and that of the visitors. The Ministerial meeting was preceded by a Senior Officials Meeting held on 19 January 2021.

Commending the Government of the Republic of Turkey for hosting the ACD Ministerial Meeting virtually, Minister Gunawardena stated that Sri Lanka is committed to the ambitious work plan of the ACD in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to promote inclusive growth in the region. Commenting further, the Minister stated that in line with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor” Sri Lanka is focusing on a friendly and non-aligned foreign policy with special focus on Asia.

As a Co-prime mover of the pillar of Science, Technology and Innovation, Minister Gunawardena stated that Sri Lanka is aware of the transformative impact Science, Technology and Innovation could contribute to the 2030 Agenda and that the importance of this pillar was amply demonstrated as the world embraced in various degrees the “new normal” from the beginning of 2020, with a view to adapting the disruption that the pandemic created in all aspects of human activities. He insisted that all Member States need to invest more in this important pillar, by creating platforms of knowledge sharing in order to recover collectively as it is a global issue.

He also welcomed the initiative of Turkey for organizing the first virtual Conference of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue member countries on the sidelines of the ACD meeting on 20 January 2021. With a view to boost trade and to keep supply chains moving, a delegation of Sri Lanka Chamber members and officials of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka participated at the Conference.

The meeting adopted the Ankara Declaration on mitigating the adverse effects of the pandemic and recovery efforts focusing on tourism. Minister Gunawardena stated that the Government of Sri Lanka made special provisions and granted concessions to the services sector affected severely by global restrictions on travel. With a view to revive the travel industry, Sri Lanka took positive steps to open up gradually while being cautious. He stated that Member States whose economies are also dependent to a greater part on tourism will understand the burden placed on Governments to ensure the safety and security of all those involved in the industry and therefore there is need to collaborate with all States transparently and support each other in finding solutions collectively.

The Senior Officials meeting was led by Additional Secretary Economic Affairs Division P M Amza. Acting Director General Multilateral Anzul Jhan and Development Officer of the Economic Affairs Division Inoka Dharmadasa of the Foreign Ministry also participated in the meetings.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

22 January 2021

Chanaka Kurera appointed Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Montreal, Quebec

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The Commission of Appointment of Honorary Consul for the province of Quebec was ceremoniously handed over by Actg High Commissioner Anzul Banu Jhan to Mr. Chanaka Kurera on 04^th January 2024, at the office of the High Commission in Ottawa.

Briefing on the functions and duties, Actg. High Commissioner stated that the role of the Honorary Consul in the modern context goes beyond routine consular related assistance, and he would be expected to assist the High Commission in promoting the interest of Sri Lanka with focus on outreach, promotion of tourism, trade and investment. Honorary Consul Kurera informed that he is already in contact with the Sri Lankan community in Quebec and is looking forward to work on identified priority areas under the guidance of the High Commission. He also informed his intent to constitute a business council to support trade and investment between Canada and Sri Lanka. Minister Counsellor Lashinka Dammullage and the consular staff briefed him on the consular functions that come under his purview.

The office of the Honorary Consul is based in Montreal, Quebec and he could be reached on +1-514-963-5140 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Honorary Consul Kurera is the Co-founder, President and CEO of Cha’s Organics, Regenerative Organic Lanka Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd and Pearl Garden Mills (Pvt) Ltd. Among his achievements as Co-founder and CEO, his company has won, Canadian Grocer Sustainability Award, West Island of Montreal Chamber of Commerce Accolades Award and Canada Organic Trade Association Organic Innovator of the year.

He is fluent in Japanese and is an old boy of Maris Stella College, Negambo, Sri Lanka.

He is married to Ms. Marise May and blessed with two daughters.