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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

FOREIGN SECRETARY ARYASINHA ELABORATES ON CABINET DECISION TO GIVE PRIORITY IN REPATRIATION TO VULNERABLE SECTORS AMONG OVERSEAS SRI LANKAN MIGRANT WORKERS

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha participated in a television interview, recorded today (07 May 2020), at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) where he expanded on the Cabinet Paper presented by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations  regards “addressing the vulnerable sectors of the migrant labour category of Overseas Sri Lankans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by the Government of Sri Lanka”.

The full transcript of the interview is below.

Q–1

So far, the Government has been going ahead with its programme of repatriation of students of Sri Lanka who are stranded in the countries and the students who wanted to return to Sri Lanka, now the focus of the Government has been diverted towards migrant workers, especially in the Middle East and any other country. A new Cabinet Paper was submitted and approved yesterday. As Foreign Secretary, what can you say about this whole process.

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please be informed that due to a breakdown of the Electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS) in the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry, attestation services during the past week were disrupted resulting in long delays in providing services. In addition, the Branch Attestation System at the Regional Consular Offices and Sri Lanka Missions overseas are also affected. The Foreign Ministry regrets the inconvenience caused to the public in this regard.

A Technical team of the Ministry is working to rectify these issues. Hence, the Consular Affairs Division would be able to provide services for only 150 walk-in customers daily under these circumstances from next Monday (22.11.2021).

Normal services for certificates /documents attestation could be provided once these issues are rectified. Updates will be notified to the public as soon as the system maintenance is completed.

You may contact the Consular Affairs Division via 011- 2338812 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

21 November, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/public-notice/)

 

Vesak Day Message of H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka

Vesak_Day_Message
   

ASSUMING THE VICE CHAIR OF IORA FOREIGN MINISTER PEIRIS CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION TO SAFEGUARD MARITIME SHIPPING LANES AND OCEAN SPACE FROM POLLUTION RELATED DISASTERS AT THE 21ST COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING IN DHAKA

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, accepting the charge of the   Vice-Chair position of the Indian Ocean Rim Association at the 21st Council of Ministers Meeting held in Dhaka called for collective action to safeguard the maritime shipping lanes and ocean space from pollution related disasters.

Referring to the MV-X Press Pearl disaster in May 2021, involving plastic nurdles, hazardous and noxious materials, Minister Peiris stated that the environmental impact was not only felt in Sri Lanka but with possible long-term repercussions on marine environment beyond Sri Lanka waters. Emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in maritime safety and security, Minister Peiris stated that Sri Lanka will take the lead in proposing collective action that could avert or mitigate such disasters that have long term repercussions not only on the environment but also livelihoods – a critical concern for all Member States. He also called   on the global community to establish a fund to recover environmental damage and losses considering the magnitude of the consequences of such incidents. He thanked all Members States who extended their support to mitigate the environmental impact of the disaster.

Congratulating the Government of Bangladesh on the assumption of leadership of IORA, Foreign Minister Peiris stated that Sri Lanka unreservedly has placed its   confidence   in Bangladesh leading IORA in the next two years   which is crucial given the ongoing pandemic.   He also thanked the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its excellent work and resilience in steering IORA during its tenure. He also thanked the outgoing past chair, the Government of South Africa for enriching collective decisions as a member of the Troika and the Acting Secretary General and his staff for their tireless work  done  during the absence of a Secretary General.

The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, commenting on the theme  selected by Bangladesh for the period of its Chairmanship: “Harnessing  opportunities of Indian Ocean sustainably for inclusive development”, stated  that the Indian Ocean is the third largest, covering an area of more than 70 million sq km, and that the  world is witnessing  mounting competition in the Indian Ocean rim over oceanic resources. He stated that this  highlights the need for regional mechanisms, which could guide countries in the region to cooperate and engage peacefully in harnessing the prospects in a more sustainable manner and  IORA working on an overarching vision on this key thematic area, which is imperative for the promotion of a sustainable ocean economy.

The Minister alluding to “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor”, the vision statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka,  stated that the  use of ocean resources in a sustainable manner under the concept of a blue-green economy is a cornerstone of Government policy. Referring  to a speech made by the President at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-26) in Scotland, the Minister further stated  that sustainability is at the heart of Sri Lanka’s national policy framework,  and is shaped by Lord Buddha’s teachings, which places great value on environmental integrity.

Speaking on COVID-19, the Minister stated that Sri Lanka remains deeply concerned by the unprecedented challenge for the whole of humanity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to catastrophic health impacts and devastation of economies, especially in the tourism sector.

He stated that Sri Lanka has embarked on a new journey to resuscitate tourism, and has opened its doors for tourists, while taking every possible measure to ensure the wellbeing of the people. He acknowledged that tourism has immense potential for growth and development and contributes to the economies  of Member States.   He stated that Sri Lanka is confident that the global community will come together to address the challenges posed by this pandemic and build economies in dynamic ways.

Welcoming the Russian Federation as the newest Dialogue Partner to IORA, the Foreign Minister   requested Member States and Dialogue Partners to continue to deepen cooperation to address the region’s challenges and to seize the many opportunities for shared progress.

Acting Director General, Economic Affairs (Multilateral) Anzul Banu Jhan from the Foreign Ministry led the Sri Lanka Delegation at the 23rd IORA Committee of Senior Officials Meeting which preceded the   Council of Ministers Meeting.  The delegation to the  21st Council of Ministers Meeting also comprised of Sri Lanka High Commissioner  to Dhaka   S D S Seneviratne; Acting Director General, Economic Affairs (Multilateral) Anzul  Banu Jhan; Deputy High Commissioner Ruwanthi Delpitiya; and Media Secretary  to Foreign Minister Buddhika Wickremadara.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

18 November, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/vice-chair-iora-fm-sl/)

 

MODALITIES TO ISSUE TEMPORARY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS ABROAD AGREED ON

2020-05-04

Modalities to issue temporary travel documents to undocumented workers abroad following proper authentication procedures has been agreed on by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. This follows consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). It is intended to facilitate the repatriation of migrant workers, once the Government decides on a timeline for their repatriation.

This was discussed at a meeting convened today (04 May 2020) by the Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, Dinesh Gunawardena with the relevant line agencies.

The interest expressed through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ portal by migrant workers to return and the amnesties presently declared by Kuwait and Jordan were reviewed. The vulnerability faced by migrant workers particularly in the Maldives and possible measures to address it, was also discussed. The programme by the Foreign Ministry and the SLBFE to provide dry rations to the Sri Lankan migrant communities most affected was also assessed.

Minister Gunawardena briefed those present on the negotiations that have taken place with the foreign governments concerned and efforts being made to be responsive to these governments, while ensuring that any repatriation remains consistent with the ongoing quarantine process.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, Senior Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Sujeewa Thissera, Controller General of Department of Immigration & Emigration Sarath Rupasiri, Chairman of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Kamal Ratwatte, and other Senior Officials, participated at the meeting.

 

Ministry of Foreign Relations
Colombo
04 May 2020
   

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