Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

THE UK AND SRI LANKA LEAD ON ‘NITROGEN FOR CLIMATE AND GREEN RECOVERY’ 27 - 29 APRIL 2021, COLOMBO

Thursday, 06 May 2021 16:20

The British High Commission in Colombo and the Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka this week held a virtual event “Nitrogen for Climate and Green Recovery”, held on 27 - 29 April 2021, in Colombo.

The event launched the #Nitrogen4NetZero initiative, to widen engagement on sustainable nitrogen management in this crucial year for climate action.

Colombo, 5 May 2021

#Nitrogen4NetZero is an initiative launched in partnership between the British High Commission, Colombo and the Government of Sri Lanka, championed by H.E. the President of Sri Lanka. The two key messages are that Net Zero will be impossible to achieve without action on nitrogen, and that action on nitrogen will offer multiple co-benefits for health, nature and economy.

Delivering a statement to the event, on behalf of His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena emphasised that:

“...Climate scientists have been studying and grappling with the impact of increased carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere for decades. I believe it is important to address the issue of nitrogen waste in a similarly urgent way, and to broaden the ongoing discourse on climate change accordingly.”

Speaking last year COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma had underlined the importance of joint action on climate change this year:

“Tackling climate change is the one of the most urgent shared endeavours of our lifetimes, demanding bold action from every nation to prevent catastrophic global warming’……2021 is absolutely going to be a critical year for climate. I want to see the golden thread of climate action woven through every international event on the road to Glasgow.”

The United Kingdom will host COP26 in Glasgow later this year, and as the incoming Presidency are committed to working with Sri Lanka to accelerate climate ambition in 2020 and 2021.

At COP26, the United Kingdom will demonstrate the urgency and the opportunities of the journey towards a zero carbon economy and the power of international cooperation to address the gravest challenges the world faces. To ensure success countries need to commit to reaching net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible.

However, the transition to net zero emissions will also require action on nitrogen to reduce nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential around 300 times that of carbon dioxide. A focus on reducing nitrogen pollution offers multiple win-wins across sustainable development for air, water, biodiversity, stratospheric ozone depletion, soils, food and the economy. These issues have been recognized by the UN Environment Assembly Resolution on ‘Sustainable Nitrogen Management’ (UNEP/EA.4/Res.14), led by India, and the Colombo Declaration led by Sri Lanka, which agreed an ambition to halve nitrogen waste from all sources by 2030, offering the potential to save $100 billion annually.

The #Nitrogen4NetZero initiative with member countries of the South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) prepares the way to widen engagement in this crucial year for climate action. The initiative is being prepared with science support from the “GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub”, supported by UK Research and Innovation through its Global Challenges Research Fund. The hub forms part of a global effort working in partnership with the UN Environment Program and the Global Environment Facility through the International Nitrogen Management System, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Further information

For details about the ‘Nitrogen for Climate and Green Recovery’ event and for further information on #Nitrogen4NetZero, visit https://www.inms.international/nitrogen4netzero/events

The #Nitrogen4NetZero launch video is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6n0MqW5JfY

The “South Asian Nitrogen Hub” of the Global Challenge Research Fund is a £20M program supported by from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), working in partnership will all eight countries of the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP). It is coordinated by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. See “Nitrogen pollution is no laughing mattter” https://www.ceh.ac.uk/press/nitrogen-pollution-no-laughing-matter

LIMITED SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CONSULAR AFFAIRS DIVISION

Tuesday, 04 May 2021 14:14

In line with the recent guidelines issued by the health authorities due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry limits its operating hours from 7.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. daily.

The Consular Affairs Division will prioritize its services to those in urgent/genuine need during the coming weeks.

The consular services, except in the cases of deaths of Sri Lankans overseas and attestation of export documents and related certificates, are provided strictly by appointment only.

Please contact the Consular Affairs Division on Tel: 011 2335942, 011 2338836 and 011 2338812 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to make an appointment.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

04 May 2021

THE MESSAGE OF H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA, ON MAY DAY

Saturday, 01 May 2021 22:03

SRI LANKA PARTICIPATES IN A REGION-WIDE ACTIVITY TO CONSOLIDATE JOINT COVID-19 COOPERATION

Tuesday, 27 April 2021 19:13

2021-04-27

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a joint video conference on COVID-19 response involving his counterparts from China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan held today, 27 April 2021. The discussions focused on consolidating COVID-19 response cooperation and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery as well as poverty alleviation amidst the recent spike in COVID-19 infections.

During his remarks, Minister Gunawardena underlined the critical need for active cooperation in effectively responding to COVID-19. The Foreign Minister also outlined the importance of addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in a manner that helps countries to take forward national priorities in economic recovery and uplifting rural livelihoods.

Furthermore, Minister Gunawardena reiterated that taking appropriate measures to maintain a steady and equitable flow of critical medical equipment, medicine, and vaccines to nations in need, under the guidance of the UN and WHO was essential to contain the epidemic and avoid relapses.

The participants expressed the view that effective response should have at its core, a process to addressissues on supply of emergency needs during natural and other disasters, the use of technology and other tools and platforms for poverty alleviation in the rural economies.

The counterparts from countries that participated included State Councilor Wang Yi (China), Mirwais Nab (Afghanistan), A.K Abdul Memon (Bangladesh), Pradeep Kumar Gyawali (Nepal) and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Pakistan).

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

27 April 2021

SRI LANKAN FISHERMEN ARRESTED IN MYANMAR WILL RETURN TO SRI LANKA TOMORROW

Thursday, 22 April 2021 20:01

The Foreign Ministry has taken steps to repatriate the 12 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Myanmar, tomorrow (23). The Foreign Ministry stated that the fishermen were released after several rounds of talks with the Government of Myanmar. They will be flown from Yangon in Myanmar to Singapore tomorrow on Singapore Airlines flight SQ761 and will be flown to Colombo on Singapore Airlines flight SQ468 from Singapore. The following persons have been released from custody in Myanmar: A.C.I. Fernando, L.A. Nirmitha Srilal, H.S. Chaminda, H.S. Jayantha, D.K.S.S. Hemachandra, D.M.K. Madushanka, K.M. Fernando, S. Nanayakkara, W.N. Fernando, T.K.N. Peiris, J.K.S. Lal Perera and W.A.S. Fernando.

Arrangements have been made to quarantine the fishermen under current health procedures.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

22 April 2021