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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

SRI LANKA LAUNCHES THE SUBMARINE CABLE PROTECTION AND RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK

Monday, 19 July 2021 14:56

Sri Lanka launches the Submarine Cable Protection and Resilience Framework

On 15 July 2021, at a stakeholder meeting chaired by Secretary to the President Dr. P. B. Jayasundara launched the Submarine Cable Protection and Resilience Framework.

Sri Lanka is the first country in Asia to come up with such a Framework and it would have not been possible, if not for generous support of the Government of Japan through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – Global Maritime Crimes Programme (GMCP).

In this new age of lockdowns, remote working and virtual conferences, our reliance on global digital communications has grown dramatically, yet most people incorrectly assume that satellites are responsible for sending data. In reality, more than 99% of all international digital data and communications are transferred via a network of more than 400 cables, which span a distance of more than 1.8 million kilometres across the world’s oceans.

The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) estimates that internet traffic increased between 25% and 50% between November 2019 and the early stages of lockdown in April 2020, and this will likely continue as we adapt to the “new-normal”. Zoom Video Communications revenue for the quarter ending on 31 July, 2020 saw a 355% increase compared to the previous year. This is just one indication of the increased video conferencing occurring as a result of widespread remote work, remote education, and remote personal video communications.

Given our reliance on this global network, it is critical that it remains as resilient as possible.

Delivering the opening remarks, Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage highlighted that Sri Lanka has been working with international partners such as UNODC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) in order to develop a National Plan on Submarine Cables, to provide Protection and Resilience for Sri Lanka having understood the threats and responsibilities of having several cables running through its jurisdiction.

Programme Coordinator of UNODC – GMCP Kaitlin Meredith made reference to the UN General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/73/124, 31 December, 2018) which highlights the responsibility of States, whose economies and societies are served by these cables, to contribute to the protection of cables, under international law. She further reiterated that “UNODC values the continued leadership of Sri Lanka in the development of its national framework, as well as in the sphere of maritime security more broadly” and that “UNODC is looking forward to the continued partnership with Sri Lanka as we can begin to export some of the good practices and lessons learned to the region.”

In Sri Lanka, developing of the Framework was undertaken jointly by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and the Ocean Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Division of the Foreign Ministry with the technical assistance of ICPC and UNODC-GMCP.

The process began in September 2020, with stakeholder engagement and was followed by a series of virtual consultations. The Framework encompasses international best practices recommended by ICPC.

At the launch of the Framework, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Colombo Kitamura Toshihiro noted that “The National Framework would certainly consolidate Sri Lanka’s aspirations to develop into a Commercial and Financial Hub, as well as a Global Innovation Hub, as envisaged in the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor”. It was also noted that this initiative, “in close partnership with UNODC-GMCP, to develop the National Framework, would not only be seen as a major breakthrough for Sri Lanka but also for the whole region, to stand as a shining beacon in the Indian Ocean”.

Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Oshada Senanayake reiterated the importance of ensuring a robust and resilient submarine cables ecosystem in Sri Lanka in line with the UNGA resolution, on the need of nations taking proactive measures to secure fiber-optic submarine cables. He further reiterated that “the initiative will now provide for the implementation of a progressive national submarine cables protection and resilience framework to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s vision of digital transformation, as well as positioning Sri Lanka as a hub for technology services and innovation”.

The Framework and enabling legislations, which are in the pipeline, would further contribute to Sri Lanka’s overall image, projecting the country as a Maritime and Logistics Hub in the Indian Ocean.

Director General, Ocean Affairs, Environment and Climate Change of the Foreign Ministry Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake explained that the role of the Foreign Ministry in the process has been to bring all stakeholders together and connecting the relevant international organizations with Sri Lankan agencies on an important aspect that Sri Lanka needs to focus on. She further highlighted the necessity to declare Submarine Cables as ‘critical infrastructure’.

The experience that Sri Lanka gained in the process would be shared with the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, of which Sri Lanka is assuming responsibilities as Vice Chair in 2021 and thereafter, accepting the role of Chair, from 2023 to 2025.

The launch concluded with suggestions made regarding the way forward by Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

18 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-submarine-cable/)

STATEMENT BY HON. DINESH GUNAWARDENA, FOREIGN MINISTER OF SRI LANKA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA: REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES” TASHKENT, REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN, 15-16 JULY 2021

Monday, 19 July 2021 14:53

Your Excellency Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzebkistan,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to participate in this high-level forum dedicated to discussing the very relevant topic of connectivity between two important and dynamic regions in the world today: Central and South Asia. I would like to commend His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for organising this timely forum bringing together the views of diverse countries on one platform in spite of the challenges posed globally by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also an opportune moment to discuss connectivity, when Uzbekistan and the other Central Asian countries mark their third decade as independent nations this year.

Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, as well as South and Central Asia share longstanding historical and cultural links. We are heirs to ancient civilisations that contributed immensely to the making of the modern world through achievements in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, religion and the arts. Central Asia, though land locked, was at the crossroads of ancient trade routes connecting multiple regions, including the ancient Silk Route. The beautiful island of Sri Lanka, with its strategic location at the heart of the Indian Ocean, was also placed at the crossroads of the East - West trade routes, including the ancient maritime Silk Route.

Today, our location in the Indian Ocean has become even more significant in connecting South Asia with Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Sri Lanka’s vision in achieving sustainable development through regional and global connectivity, complemented by a robust, neutral and non-aligned foreign policy, is spelt out by the President His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the national development policy framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.

Connectivity today is an imperative for socio-economic development in an increasingly globalised and inter-dependent world. Today, the centre of gravity of the world economy has pivoted towards Asia. South Asia has become one of the fastest growing regions in the world. For the first time in modern times, Asian economies are becoming larger than the rest of the world combined. At the same time, the economic potential of resource- and energy- rich Central Asia, is increasing exponentially. In this context, maritime and land connectivity between South and Central Asia and the West are becoming an imperative to expand global trade.

Tashkent, the Capital of Uzbekistan has long enjoyed air travel connectivity with Colombo, Sri Lanka.However, in spite of the vast potential, connectivity between the two regions remains at a relatively low level today. There is therefore a need to reinforce existing synergies, overcome cross-border challenges, and forge stronger trade, investment and tourism ties, to suit current requirements.

The Colombo Port City in Sri Lanka is an example of a Special Economic Zone that would offer competitive investment opportunities in international trade, offshore banking and financial services, shipping and logistics operations, information technology and business process outsourcing, and other ancillary services, to help reinforce regional connectivity.

Before I conclude, I would like to extend our deep appreciation to the Government of Uzbekistan for its principled position of support to Sri Lanka at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this March.

I convey my sincere thanks to Your Excellency for your constructive engagement, and to all participants for their valued interventions. I look forward to a productive outcome of today’s deliberations.

Thank you.

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-uzebkistan/)

US AMBASSADOR CALLS ON THE FOREIGN MINISTER

Thursday, 15 July 2021 14:30

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz called on the Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena 13 July. The Foreign Minister Gunawardena thanked the government and people of the United States for the assistance extended to combat COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate the environmental and socio-economic impact of the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. He particularly appreciated U.S. government for sending emergency medical supplies such as PPEs and oximeters through the USAID as well as vaccines through the COVAX programme.

The Foreign Minister Gunawardena also welcomed private sector investments from the United States, utilizing the strong political and economic bilateral cooperation enjoyed by the two countries.

Other bilateral matters, including convening of Partnership Dialogue and Joint Commission of Trade & Investment Framework Agreement, were also discussed in detail.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

15 July 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/us-fm/)

SRI LANKA AND AUSTRALIA TO STRENGTHEN PRACTICAL COOPERATION

Wednesday, 14 July 2021 16:56

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner David Holly on 13 July 2021 discussed avenues for consolidating relations between the two countries in multiple spheres to achieve tangible outcomes.

Following up from the successful telephone conversation held with the Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in June this year, the two sides discussed ways and means to enhance the capacity of the Sri Lankan Marine Protection Authorities to minimize the damage caused by future maritime catastrophes. In this regard, the Minister Gunawardena extended Sri Lanka’s gratitude for the provision of personal protective equipment and gear to assist the coastal cleaning efforts due to the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. It was agreed to build a broad-based dialogue around the issue of maritime environmental calamities and the importance of curtailing the adverse impacts of such incidents through international and regional fora such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The Foreign Minister Gunawardena appreciated Australia’s continuous support to enhance capability of the public health sector to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and projects implemented under Australian Overseas Development Assistance to bolster the socio-economic development in Sri Lanka.

The two sides also agreed to prioritize convening of bilateral consultations between the two countries in the political, economic and maritime sectors as key platforms for deepening and extending the bilateral partnership in keeping with the mutual interests of the countries. Advancing collaborations in the science and technology field through a structured mechanism, was also identified as a potential sector for exchange of expertise.

High Commissioner Holly affirmed Australia’s keenness to jointly promote Sri Lanka as an educational hub where international students could obtain Australian qualifications in Sri Lanka. While welcoming the education cooperation between the two countries and Australian Government’s current efforts to permit the return of international students to Australia, whose higher studies have been affected due to the ongoing COVID-19 related travel restrictions, Foreign Minister Gunawardena requested to consider the early facilitation of Sri Lankan students’ travel to Australia.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

14 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-australia/)

FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA AND LUXEMBOURG MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS JEAN ASSELBORN REVIEW BILATERAL COOPERATION

Monday, 12 July 2021 14:12

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn have agreed to strengthen and expand bilateral relations into new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, leading to the celebration of the establishment of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Luxembourg in 2022.

This understanding was reached yesterday (Friday, 09 July, 2021) during a video call between the two Ministers, as a follow up to Minister Asselborn’s official visit to Sri Lanka in January 2020, the first visit by a Luxembourg Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka. The two Ministers also agreed to celebrate this landmark anniversary next year in both countries in a fitting manner.

During their cordial discussion, both Ministers reviewed bilateral relations and underscored the importance of enhanced economic cooperation, especially in the financial sector with a focus on sustainable and green bond financing, trade & investment, air connectivity, employment, and education.

Minister Gunawardena briefed his Luxembourg counterpart on Sri Lanka’s progress in reconciliation, international assistance for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and cooperation with multilateral institutions, among other matters of mutual interest.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

10 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-luxembourg-fm/)

NEW UNICEF COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS TO FOREIGN MINISTER

Tuesday, 06 July 2021 14:51

New Country Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to Sri Lanka Christian Skoog presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, yesterday, 05 July, 2021 at the Foreign Ministry.

Accepting credentials, Minister Gunawardena recalled that the UNICEF’s cooperation with Sri Lanka supporting the rights and wellbeing of children, since the early 1950’s. Minister Gunawardena acknowledged with appreciation the outstanding work carried out by the UNICEF in Sri Lanka and particularly its efforts to seek empower, educate and enable Sri Lanka’s children to become the agents of change who drive national development into the future. He also commented the UNICEF’s COVID-19 response and social protection.

While elaborating UNICEF's child-centered approach which is designed to positively impact the stages of a child’s growth and development which is categorized as early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence, UNICEF Country Representative underscored that the UNICEF wishes to work closely with Sri Lanka towards 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, mainly in achieving the SDGs directly linked to children.

Minister Gunawardena expressed hope that the on-going excellent cooperation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the UNICEF will be further strengthened during the term of the new UNICEF Country Representative.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

06 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/unicef-credentials/)