Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA LEADS THE SRI LANKA DELEGATION TO THE INFORMAL MEETING OF SAARC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena led the Sri Lankan delegation to the informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 24 September 2020. The annual event, which traditionally takes place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, was convened in virtual mode this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the informal meeting, Minister Gunawadena underlined the need for coordinated and collaborative action to mitigate the adverse impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, as the United Nations forecasts South Asian economies to contract by 4.8% this year. He also pointed out the importance of reviewing South Asia’s economic outlook, finding employment for impacted workforce, revitalizing businesses, while increasing production.

Minister Gunawardena conveyed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National Policy Framework “Visions of Prosperity and Splendour” envisages a non-aligned, neutral and friendly foreign policy with an enhanced focus on Asian neighbours to keep regional cooperation in the forefront. The SAARC has the potential to become a catalyst in economic growth and prosperity. South Asia should expand cooperation in soft projects such as public health, poverty alleviation, agriculture, food security, environment, education and promotion of people to people contacts, he added.

The meeting was chaired by Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, facilitated by the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. The newly appointed Secretary General of SAARC Esala Weerakoon also addressed the informal meeting. The Sri Lanka delegation comprised Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Ministry.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

24 September 2020

"Partnership Finder'' to help investors find new business partners

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka has launched the "Partnership Finder" (PF), a new strategic initiative aimed at attracting investments and facilitating partnerships between existing investors and entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka as well as new entrepreneurs and innovators. Interested parties are welcome to scan the QR code to register and follow the steps to find your local partner.

STATEMENT BY H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 75TH SESSION OF THE UNGA, 22 SEPTEMBER 2020

Prof Janka Ruwanpura and Dr Sivakumar Gulasingam among Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022

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His Excellency Harsha Kumara Navaratne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canada graced the Annual Award Ceremony of the Canadian Immigrant Magazine on 11^th August 2022 in Toronto where two Sri Lankan origin Canadians, Professor Janaka Ruwanpura and Dr. Sivakumar Gulasingam were among the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022. The annual awards program celebrates the achievements of inspiring Canadian immigrants.

Professor Ruwanpura is a scholar in construction engineering and an award-winning academic. He is the Vice-provost and Associate Vice-President (Research/international) and Professor of Engineering at the University of Calgary. Professor Ruwanpura has won international, national, provincial, and municipal awards for his academic accomplishments, research and innovation. A few recent awards received by him include the Distinguished Alumni Award (Arizona State University), Life Time Achievement Award from Sri Lanka Foundation (Los Angeles) and City of Calgary’s International Achievement.

Dr. Sivakumar Gulasingam is an award-winning physical medicine and rehabilitation physician attached to University Health Network’s Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and an Assistant Professor of the University of Toronto. He is a medical graduate from the University of Colombo. Before migrating immigrating to Canada, Dr. Gulasingam had worked as the lead physician at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Sri Lanka. He is a national trainer and para-athletics classifier with Athletics Canada, International Paralympic Committee classifier and international trainer for World Para-Athletics and World Para-Dance Sports. Dr. Gulasingam is a recipient of many prestigious awards including Michael Gordon Award for Humanism in Medicine from University of Toronto and The Most Outstanding Young Persons of the Year - Humanitarian and Voluntary Services, Junior Chambers International (JCI), Sri Lanka (2004).

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canada and a cross section of academic, professionals and business community in Canada attended the event.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

18^th August, 2022

VIRTUAL SUMMIT BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER RAJAPAKSA AND PRIME MINISTER MODI ON 26 SEPTEMBER

The Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and India are scheduled to have a Virtual Bilateral Summit on Saturday, 26 September 2020.

On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had a telephone conversation with the newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 06 August 2020, both leaders agreed to review the multifaceted bilateral relationship through the scheduled Virtual Summit.

The Summit level interaction is expected to focus on the full gamut of bilateral engagement inter-alia political, economic, finance, development, defence and security spheres, educational, tourism and cultural as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Relevant subject Ministers and Senior Officials of both countries will associate the leaders at the Summit.

This is the first Virtual Summit level interaction by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with a foreign leader since assuming premiership last month.