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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

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/)

 

Foreign Ministry and Foreign Employment Bureau team up to step up efforts to assist Sri Lankans in the Middle East

2020-04-16-i-O

Sri Lanka Missions in the Middle East have reported that the welfare measures for migrant workers in the Middle East have received an added boost this week, following the decision by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to make available resources from the Workers’ Welfare Fund, originally confined to those registered with the Bureau, to all migrant workers irrespective of their registration status, through units within Sri Lanka Missions abroad in 16 stations. This is in addition to funds already allocated by the Foreign Ministry and services provided by Missions in collaboration with local Sri Lankan associations and religious establishments across the world in 67 cities. The Foreign Ministry has also sought an additional allocation from the Treasury to meet the increasing needs of all Overseas Sri Lankans, presently amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, to increase the efforts of distribution of dry rations. This is to help overcome immediate difficulties experienced by the migrants who are unable to return to Sri Lanka, in view of the present closure of the airports in Sri Lanka for arrival, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These measures were the focus of a video conference held on Wednesday (15 April) chaired by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and attended by senior officials overseeing the region and with the Ambassadors of Sri Lanka Missions and Consulates in the Middle East. Generic issues and other aspects of the present crisis, were also discussed during the meeting. Heads of Mission and SLBFE Heads of Unit in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Iran and Israel participated in the discussion. Earlier last Friday (10 April), Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, Dinesh Gunawardena met with the respective Secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, as well as senior officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, where policy changes were discussed to address issues relating to migrant workers, particularly in the context of  the ramifications emanating from the present Coronavirus pandemic. This was followed by a meeting of the SLBFE Board of Members, where the proposed changes were formally endorsed.

Special emphasis was placed to address the consequences resulting from the increasing cases of  unemployment, loss of contracts, non-extension of work permits, and halting of temporary freelance work, which have left sections of these workers in need of urgent assistance to maintain their basic living conditions and also to ensure that their families back home are assisted where possible. Taking note of the need to diplomatically and politically engage countries which have already declared Amnesty, permitting the workers to leave, the Ministry instructed the Sri Lanka Missions to commence negotiations with local authorities and respective Labour Ministries to reach possible settlements in legalizing the status of unregistered workers and also to find amicable solutions to various disputes that have arisen due to violation of contract agreements, loss of employment and legal status.

The Missions also reported to the Ministry that in the case of those Sri Lankans who reach out for medical assistance on account of being suspected or having contracted the COVID-19, immediate measures are being taken to direct them to the local hospitals providing medical facilities and thereafter to be constantly monitored by the Embassy officials.

The video conference also discussed the support extended by multilateral organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Red Crescent Society, in some countries in the distribution of food rations to needy Sri Lankans, and assistance for the provision of medical advice and consultation extended to Sri Lankans through community volunteers specialized in this field. Appreciating this support and the need for continued assistance, the Ministry has made representations seeking additional support to all Sri Lanka Missions to the IOM and International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Headquarters in Geneva through the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission in Geneva and their Heads of Agency in Sri Lanka.

The establishment of databases to gather information on the Sri Lankans in each country set up by the Missions has facilitated compilation of data on/about the Sri Lankan workforce, which is presently shared with the Ministry. In addition, the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ online portal launched by the Foreign Ministry and widely circulated among the communities overseas, presently serves as an ideal platform for information sharing and engagement with the Ministry and the Missions particularly at this time of crisis. As of 15 April, 21,575 of the 59,419 who have registered on the portal are resident in the Middle East region.

The Foreign Ministry has instructed all Missions to continue maintaining the 24-hour emergency hotlines and to deploy Embassy staff on a continuous duty roster to attend to the daily needs and queries of the Sri Lankan communities in these respective stations.

 

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

15 April 2020

2020-04-16-O

 

The Easter Message of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka

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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/)

 

SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR MESSAGE OF H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA

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