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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

World Seagrass Day – 1st March 2023

SOUTH AFRICA DESIRES BALANCE IN TRADE TIES, WILLING TO CONSIDER SLASHING TARIFFS FOR SRI LANKAN TEA EXPORTS

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) warmly received the outgoing South African High Commissioner in Colombo, Robina P. Marks to address the ‘Sri Lanka – South Africa Business Promotion Meeting’ on 14 December, 2020.

Delivering the opening remarks, High Commissioner Marks said that South Africa has been able to expand its trade footprint in Sri Lanka and that overall trade stood hugely in favour of her country. South Africa is Sri Lanka’s largest source of imports and the second largest export destination in the African region. Imports from South Africa largely consists of coal and Sri Lankan exports comprise of bulk tea, apparel, and rubber products.

Commenting further on bilateral trade ties in the COVID-19 era, the High Commissioner underscored the need to recalibrate its trade strategy in Sri Lanka and the desire for a more balanced trade relationship between the two countries. “Even though national interest is important to all countries, we do want a more balanced trade between Sri Lanka and South Africa. We think that its important because we both need to work on the basis that each have something to offer in this bilateral relationship,” she added.

Addressing concerns over market access for Sri Lankan tea, the High Commissioner said “we would consider, possibly, a request to lower for a period of time not exceeding three years, tea tariffs … to give some relief to Sri Lanka … in the spirit of supporting developing countries become sustainable as they can be.”

In terms of investment, High Commissioner Marks said that international retail brand, SPAR, through a joint venture between SPAR Group Ltd South Africa and Ceylon Biscuits Limited has opened four outlets in Sri Lanka with plans to expand up to 20 retail stores.

During the meeting, High Commissioner Marks also exchanged views with representatives of the Sri Lankan businesses community on the possibility of boosting fish exports to South Africa, value addition and knowledge sharing in the gem and jewellery industry, opportunities in the renewable energy sector and sharing expertise in food preservation in the canning industry.

The virtual meeting was organised on the request of the Foreign Minister, and the Chairman of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategics Studies, Dinesh Gunawardena. Kosala Wickramanayake, member of the Board of Management of LKI and the President of the International Business Council in Sri Lanka; Benjamin Jourdaan, Country Manager, Asia, Wesgro; Nadine Smith-Clarke, Manager, International Trade Development, Wesgro; Shiran Fernando, Chief Executive Officer, Tess PLC; Armil Sammoon, Chairman, Sapphire Capital and Ruvinika Kinigama, Director, Marketing, Ranfer Group attended the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

24 December 2020

PRESIDENT'S CHRISTMAS DAY MESSAGE

75th Anniversary of Independence Day ceremoniously celebrated in Ottawa

High Commissioner Harsha Kumara Navaratna and the staff of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa ceremoniously celebrated the 75^th anniversary of independence of Sri Lanka on 4^th February 2022, with the participation of religious dignitaries and community leaders.

The event commenced with the hoisting of the national flag and the singing of the national anthem of Sri Lanka in both Sinhala and Tamil followed by the Canadian national anthem. Two minute silence was observed in honour of Sri Lankan National Heroes. The traditional oil lamp was lit by invitees and staff of the High Commission, followed by multi-faith religious observances. The most Venerable Nugegalyaye Jinanada Thero of the Hilda Jayawardenaramaya Buddhist Monastery led the Buddhist religious blessings together with Venerable Nagaswawe Sumanrathna Thero and Venerable Vilgamuwe Sumanasiri Thero. Further, Reverend Himanshu Gaur Swami from the Hindu faith, Reverend Hafiz Arshad Mohamed Auff from the Islamic faith and Reverend Father Virgil Amirthakumar from the Catholic faith blessed all Sri Lankans and the country.

The speech of the President of Sri Lanka was read by the High Commissioner followed by the Independence Day messages issued by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Navaratne invited all Canadians of Sri Lankan heritage to assist Sri Lanka in its endeavors to come out from the economic crisis. He also reiterated the importance of reconciliation and the need to reach out to all communities of Sri Lankan heritage in Canada.

The event concluded with an alms giving for all religious dignitaries.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa
10^th February 2023

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THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL DONATES TWO VENTILATORS TO SRI LANKA

2020-12-24

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage formally handed over two ventilators (VG70 Ventilator and Vivo 65 advanced homecare ventilator) donated by the Government of Israel to Secretary of the Ministry of Health Major General Dr. S.H. Munasinghe at the Foreign Ministry today, 24 December 2020.

The two ventilators were donated through the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, which is concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka. Following the donation on 10 December 2020, Foreign Secretary Colombage, extended Sri Lanka’s gratitude to the Government of Israel during a virtual meeting with the Ambassador of Israel to Sri Lanka resident in New Delhi Dr. Ron Malka. During this virtual meeting both parties also discussed avenues for future cooperation in many fields including Agriculture, IT, Science & Technology and Skills Development.

The two ventilators which will be utilized, will contribute to supporting the health sector and treating many COVID-19 patients in intensive care units who are most in need.

The Honorary Consul for Israel in Colombo Wicky Wikramasinghe and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Health also attended the event.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo