Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

High Commissioner Navaratne presented Credentials to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

High Commissioner Harsha Kumara Navaratne presented credentials to Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar at the Headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada on 13^th January 2022. The High Commissioner and his delegation was cordially welcomed by the office of ICAO under COVID health guidelines.

Presenting Credentials to the Secretary General, High Commissioner Navaratne added greetings from H E the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka and also took the opportunity to congratulate the Secretary General on his appointment as the ICAO Secretary General in the latter part of 2021.

During discussions, the High Commissioner stated that Sri Lanka is member of the ICAO since 1948 and has endeavoured to incorporate ICAO principles in the Sri Lanka National Civil Aviation Policy introduced in 2019. He further stated that the Government of Sri Lanka has acceded to the Cape Town Convention and related Protocols, Beijing Convention and Associated Supplementary Protocols and Protocol to amend the Convention of offences and certain other acts committed on board aircraft and the Montreal Protocol.

Appreciating the call of ICAO and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for acceleration of global efforts to reconnect the world due to COVID 19 in August last year the Sri Lanka delegation stated that such efforts will ease the economic hardships felt by the peoples of all countries and Sri Lanka would also benefit as its economy depends on tourism. The Sri Lanka delegation also inquired and discussed on new training opportunities from which industry officials in Sri Lanka could benefit.

Secretary General Salazar stated that he is has close interaction with Sri Lanka even before his appointment and has visited Sri Lanka and is familiar with the country. He also stated that ICAO is closely working with UNWTO on several fronts and he welcomes Sri Lanka to take part in its initiatives based on interest.

At the end of the discussions, High Commissioner Navaratne on behalf of the Government reiterated its commitment to ICAO principles that include safe and orderly development of international civil aviation, with the complementary aim that international air transport services should be operated soundly and economically and established on the basis of equality of opportunity.

Deputy High Commissioner Anzul B Jhan and M D K Aravinda, IT Officer of the High Commission participated in the discussions.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

14^th January 2022

NEW INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA

2020-05-26

The newly accredited Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena at the Republic Building today. On his first working day as the High Commissioner after presenting Credentials on 14 May 2020, High Commissioner Baglay exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral issues with the Foreign Relations Minister during his call.

Minister Gunawardena, welcoming the new High Commissioner, assured Sri Lanka’s fullest commitment for stronger and deeper cooperation with India, while appreciating the continued exchanges of goodwill that are evident in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. High Commissioner Baglay conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances of closer cooperation with Sri Lanka through his neighbourhood first policy.

Both dignitaries agreed to work towards mutually beneficial trade, investment,development and political relations in the post COVID-19 new international environment by enhancing maritime cooperation, security exchanges, ensuring food and health security, enhanced assistance for capacity building and technical cooperation. It was agreed to kick start tourism exchanges based on the ancient foundation of Hindu-Buddhist cultural affinities between the two countries. Also both sides agreed to follow up on the pending Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other bilateral instruments.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and senior officials of the Foreign Relations Ministry were also present during the call.

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

26 May 2020

THE MESSAGE OF H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA FOR THAI PONGAL 2022

(https://mfa.gov.lk/the-message-of-h-e-gotabaya-rajapaksa-president-of-sri-lanka-for-thai-pongal-2022/)

FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA DISCUSSES SYSTEMATIC REPATRIATION PROCESS

Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations in an interview held on Siyatha TV ‘Morning Show’ at 6.55 am today (25 May 2020) discussed the systematic repatriation process of Overseas Sri Lankans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full interview at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MvhELfE98F4

Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada wishes peace and good health to the Canadian Tamil community on Thai Pongal Day

“Thaipongal is the festive harvest season for the Hindu Tamil community world over. Thai Pongal is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Suriya Bhagavan thanking him for providing agricultural abundance beginning from the month of January.

The festival is named after the ceremonial "Pongal", which is the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with juggery. To mark the festival, the pongal sweet dish is prepared, first offered to the gods and then shared with family and friends. The festival also includes offering prayers in the home, temples, getting together with family and friends, and exchanging gifts to renew social bonds of solidarity.

The Tamil language is regarded as one of the oldest languages in the world and abundant with literary works. Among the great poets who have enriched the Tamil language are Thiruvalluvar, Kambar, Ilangko and Subramania Bharathiyar. Similarly, Sri Lankan poets like Somasunthara Pulavar,Vipulanantha Adigal and Mahakavi have contributed to the richness of Tamil poetry.

Thaipongal is also a time to celebrate the contributions made by Tamil-Canadians to the Canadian society; the richness of the Tamil language and culture, and passing down at important traditional values, ethics for future generations.

Sri Lanka as a multi - ethnic and multicultural society that has over the years collectively nurtured the celebration of important festivals such as Thaipongal: I am pleased and happy to wish peace and good health to the Canadian Tamil community as they celebrate Thaipongal.

Harsha Kumara Navaratne

High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada