Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The message of H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa President of Sri Lanka for Christmas 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/the-message-of-h-e-gotabaya-rajapaksa-president-of-sri-lanka-for-christmas-2021/)

SRI LANKA RAISES CONCERNS ON REFERENCE TO SRI LANKA IN OHCHR PRESS RELEASE

Sri Lanka’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dayani Mendis, in a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has raised concerns regarding the allegations made in a press release issued by the High Commissioner on 03 June 2020 regarding “clampdown” of freedom of expression during COVID-19, in which a reference had been made to Sri Lanka.

The letter highlights that it has become essential for all countries and Governments to take measures to counter misinformation and disinformation in the interest of protecting public health, particularly during the
COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are also in line with the consensus resolution on COVID-19 response adopted on 18 May 2020 at the 73 World Health Assembly (WHA), which also, inter alia, calls on Member States to provide the population with reliable and comprehensive information on COVID-19 and take measures to counter misinformation and disinformation.

MOU BETWEEN SRI LANKA AND IRAN ‘TEA FOR OIL’ BARTER ARRANGEMENT

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Islamic Republic of Iran signed the MoU between the Ministry of Plantation of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Industries, Mine, and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran to formulate a scheme for the settlement of the outstanding payments from Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to the National Iranian Oil Company at the Foreign Ministry on 21 December 2021.

Minister Plantation Sri Lanka Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, and Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine, Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran Alireza Paymanpak signed the MoU on behalf of their respective Governments. This was with the main focus to promote the mutually beneficial cooperation between Sri Lanka and Iran in the field of economic relations. The MoU aims at increasing the sale of Ceylon Tea to the Islamic Republic of Iran through the settlement of an outstanding payment for the oil purchases by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hashem Ashjazadeh , State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Company Estate Reforms, Tea and Rubber Related Crop Cultivation and Factories Modernization and Tea/Rubber Export Promotion Kanaka Herath, Secretary Ministry of Finance S.R. Attygalle, Secretary Ministry of Plantation Ravindra Hewavitharana, Chairman SLTB Jayampathy Molligoda, Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation W.W.D. Sumith Wijesinghe, Director General of Sri Lanka Tea Board Anura Siriwardena, the Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Tea Board in Sri Lanka were also present at the event of signing the MoU.

The Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine, Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran Alireza Paymanpak also paid a courtesy call State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, and discussed the matters of mutual interest and ways of further enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries.

At this moment of celebration we recall the dedication and efforts of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran Wishwanath Aponsu and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka Hashem Ashjazadeh which have immensely contributed to finalize the MOU and the commitment, foresight, goodwill and friendship between the two countries which paved the way to signing of this MOU.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

24 December, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/mou-iran-sl/)

AMBASSADORS OF ARAB COUNTRIES MEET FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA AND ASSURE FULLEST SUPPORT AND COOPERATION TOWARDS SRI LANKA

On behalf of the President and Prime Minister, Government and people of Sri Lanka, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena met the Ambassadors of Arab Countries based in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, today, 8 June 2020 and expressed sincere gratitude through them to their respective Arab Governments for the support and solidarity given to the people and Government of Sri Lanka during this unprecedented international situation of the spread of COVID –19.

As the largest expatriate community that lives and works in the Middle East, Minister Gunawardena took the opportunity to extend appreciation for the steps taken to look after the health and safety of those Sri Lankans. He said that the Government plans to bring the returnees from the region in a smooth and systematic manner.

Minister Gunawardena further expressed Sri Lanka’s keen interest in enhancing and strengthening economic and trade ties with the Arab world, especially through a Government to Government mechanism. The need to increase the market accessibility for Sri Lankan tea was highlighted by the Minister. He was optimistic that the socio- economic and political relations will be further consolidated following the Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka.

APPOINTMENT OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE OF REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA TO SRI LANKA

The Government of the Republic of Botswana with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Gilbert Shimane Mangole as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Sri Lanka based in New Delhi. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.