Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Webinar on Investment opportunities in Sri Lanka in the Logistics Sector on 28th September 2022 from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm ( SL Time)

A virtual meeting on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka in the Logistics sector,on 28th Sept 2022 from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm (SL Time ).

Zoom meeting link:
Sep 28, 2022 11:30 AM Colombo

Registration could be done via:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdOqhqTwiE9GEmvj6U1NOTBkh8rBLr7kl

FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA MEETS EU AMBASSADORS TO DISCUSS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (18/11) received the Ambassadors of Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France, Romania and the EU Delegation based in Colombo, at the Foreign Ministry, to discuss recent developments, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EU Ambassadors reaffirmed their desire to continue to further strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka with a special focus on further advancing trade, investment and tourism sector cooperation. The Ambassadors highlighted that Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU market worth EUR 2.3 billion, continued to grow and benefit from the EU GSP+, which allows duty free access for over 6,000 export product categories. In this regard, the Ambassadors sought clarifications regarding the recent import restrictions that were enforced and the likely timeframe the restrictions would be lifted. Foreign Minister Gunawardena explained the challenges Sri Lanka was facing on its economy and the foreign currency reserves due to the significant reduction in remittances and tourism revenues induced by the COVID-19 global pandemic. He underlined that the import restrictions are reviewed as we move along.

Minister Gunawardena appreciated the assistance provided by the EU countries to Sri Lanka for economic and social recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, including the continued assistance for several development projects, particularly in the education, skills development, agriculture, and dairy development and water supply sectors and in investments with the private sector.

The Foreign Minister also assured that Sri Lanka was committed to achieving the SDGs and to addressing issues related to reconciliation through a credible domestic process. The Ambassadors appreciated the cordial, open and continued dialogue between the EU member states and Sri Lanka on a number of issues of shared interest.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present at the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

19 November 2020

The video can be viewed at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YenUxU-voZE

Scheme to grant permits to import electric vehicles by the Sri Lankans working abroad

Sri Lanka Digital Investment Summit 2022

FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES ENABLING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO OVERCOME THE MULTIFACETED CHALLENGES HINDERING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SDGS

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena reiterated the call of the Group of 77 for adequate funding for development initiatives enabling developing countries to overcome the multifaceted challenges hindering the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in the context of the exacerbated global situation due to the pandemic and its adverse effects on trade, tourism, investment and employment.

The Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 was held virtually on Thursday (12 November), chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The interactive dialogue was held on the theme "Major priority issues and the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the obstacles it poses to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of the SDGs".

In a video statement, Minister Gunwardena highlighted the strong mandate given by the people of Sri Lanka to the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa both at the presidential election and the general election, for his Vision for Prosperity & Splendour that gives confidence to Sri Lanka to commit further to the goals of the G-77. He noted that Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieve the SDGs was reflected in the appointment of a Working Group to study the current status of Sri Lanka’s implementation & progress of the SDGs.

The Foreign Minister further underscored the platform provided by the Group to developing countries in articulating and promoting collective interests on all major international economic issues within the UN system and in promoting South-South cooperation for development. He also recalled the original contribution of Sri Lanka's Economists, led by Dr. Gamani Corea, former Secretary General of UNCTAD, in mobilizing support for South-South cooperation.

Minister Gunawardena congratulated the President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, of Guyana for his stewardship of the Group, who made the key note address. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly and António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations also addressed the Meeting.