- Error
Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
NEW INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA
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.
FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES WITH THE PAKISTAN ENVOY IN SRI LANKA MATTERS RELATING TO FINANCIAL SECURITY OF THE FAMILY OF LATE PRIYANTHA KUMARA
The Foreign Minister Prof. G L Peiris had a meeting with the Actg. High Commissioner of Pakistan in Colombo Tanvir Ahmad today to discuss the matters relating to financial security / compensation of the family of late Priyantha Kumara who was killed by a mob in Sialkot area, Pakistan last week.
While highlighting the long-standing friendship and trust between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Minister expressed confidence that the Pakistan Government would take required steps that the family of late Priyantha Kumara gets justice.
Recalling the telephone call had with the Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday, the Minister said “he offered his condolences & promised to make available to Sri Lanka all the information from the probe at the earliest”.
The Foreign Minister also appreciated the intervention of Pakistan Prime Minister who has taken personal charge of this investigation and taken steps to immediately investigate the incident. He also welcomed the announcement of the donation of US$ 100,000 by the business community in Sialkot and payment of monthly salary of Priyantha Kumara to his widow.
Minister Peiris highlighted the fact that the Sri Lankan government is concerned about the future of the two children of the late Priyantha Kumara and the importance of receiving the payments on time. He requested the Pakistan envoy to arrange a mechanism to ensure that the salary will be received by the family every month without any disruption.
Conveying his heartfelt apologies for the incident, the Acting High Commissioner assured that the Government of Pakistan has taken the necessary steps for a full investigation and ensuring compensation for the family. The law enforcement agencies in Pakistan are working to ensure the safety of all other Sri Lankans living in Pakistan, he further stated.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
09 December 2021
FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA DISCUSSES SYSTEMATIC REPATRIATION PROCESS
Full interview at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MvhELfE98F4
Sri Lanka’s New High Commissioner to Canada Presents Credentials
Sri Lanka’s envoy to Canada, Harsha Kumara Navaratne presented his Credentials as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner, to Governor General Mary May Simon of Canada at a ceremony held at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa on 7 December 2021. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada and Diplomats attended the ceremony which was held to mark the presentation of credentials by four envoys representing Sri Lanka, Spain, Israel and the United States of America.
Following the welcome by the Master of Ceremonies, the Chief of Protocol of Canada, Stewart Wheeler introduced each of the four envoys.
The introduction was followed by the presentation of Credentials.
The Governor General in her welcome address outlined the bilateral relations shared between each of the four countries and Canada. Speaking of Sri Lanka, the Governor Genaral referred to the strong people to people ties and the large Sri Lankan origin diaspora in Canada, joint economic collaboration and development programmes between the two countries.
During an audience with the Governor General following the presentation of credentials, Sri Lanka’s new High Commissioner briefed Canada’s Governor General on recent developments in Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Navaratne stated that his priorities in Canada would include renewing reconciliation efforts, improving and increasing trade and investment ties between Sri Lanka and Canada and encouraging Canadian tourism and investments in Sri Lanka.
Prior to his appointment as Sri Lanka’s envoy to Canada, High Commissioner Navaratne was the Chairperson of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists headquartered in Bangkok which supports a network of socially engaged Buddhist practitioners and organizations in over 40 countries and currently leads two initiatives in South and South-East Asia bringing interreligious organizations to work together. As a follow up of these initiatives, the Buddhist-Muslim dialogue was set up in Malaysia and Indonesia. He was also a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the Founder and Chairperson of Sevalanka Foundation, Sri Lanka, a community-based organization that provides rural services related to sustainable agriculture, fisheries, tourism, enterprise development, microfinance, environmental conservation, psychosocial support, and peace and reconciliation.
He is married with three daughters.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa
7 December 2021
SPECIAL DISCUSSION ON REPATRIATION HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
Special discussion chaired by Hon. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Information and Mass Media, Higher Education, Technology and Innovation and Co- Cabinet Spokesperson was held today (24 May) at the Department of Government Information. Officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment(SLBFE) and the Ministry of Foreign Relations participated at the discussion.
Full recording of the discussion is at: https://www.facebook.com/newslk/videos/623627001844398/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
More Articles...
- FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. PEIRIS DISCUSSES ENERGY SECURITY, INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH UAE FOREIGN MINISTER
- MESSAGE OF H.E.THE PRESIDENT ON THE OCCASION OF RAMAZAN
- MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OF INDIA CALLS ON FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. G. L. PEIRIS
- PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AT NATIONAL RANAVIRU DAY COMMEMORATION
Page 68 of 231