Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Foreign Minister Prof G.L. Peiris met the High Commissioner of Canada David McKinnon on 8 October at the Foreign Ministry. A number of areas of ongoing bilateral cooperation were discussed. The Minister also briefed the High Commissioner on Sri Lanka’s recent multilateral engagements in Geneva and New York.

The Minister updated the High Commissioner on progress related to Sri Lanka’s vaccination programme and the gradual opening up of the country. The Minister appreciated Canada’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s process of recovery from the pandemic. Sri Lanka continues to seek vaccine availability from all available sources.

The High Commissioner briefed the Minister on post- Covid recovery in Canada and economic collaboration between Sri Lanka and Canada, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

The Minister reiterated Sri Lanka’s strong concern regarding the Private Members Public Bill passed earlier this year in the Ontario Legislative Assembly including  Sri Lanka’s  objection to the unacceptable association of  genocide in relation to the past conflict in Sri Lanka . The Minister noted that this Act is being challenged in the Ontario Superior Court. As highlighted in his address to the UN Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka is continuing its efforts to achieve reconciliation among the communities following decades of terrorist conflict. The Minister also recalled that the LTTE is a proscribed terrorist organization in Canada.

The High Commissioner stated that this issue, which was a decision by the Ontario Legislative Assembly, is in a judicial process relating to a Constitutional Question. He agreed to keep the Minister informed of developments.

The Minister also updated the High Commissioner on his address to the UN Human Rights Council and on progress on matters related to human rights and the recent steps taken domestically. The High Commissioner thanked the Minister for the update and encouraged Sri Lanka to make progress on the matters raised by the Council.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

08 October, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-canada-hc/)

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has highlighted the importance Sri Lanka attaches to strengthening relations with Bangladesh especially economic cooperation.  The Minister made this observation during a courtesy call by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Mr. Tareq Md. Ariful Islam at the Foreign Ministry  on 07 October.

The Minister, while recalling the strong relations between the two countries thanked the Government of Bangladesh for the continued support and cooperation extended to Sri Lanka in multilateral fora, particularly at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The Minister also discussed a wide range of bilateral matters with High Commissioner Ariful Islam including joint tourism ventures, sharing intelligence in combating and countering terrorism and expansion of trade within the region.

Considering the vast potential of trade in the South Asian region, Foreign Minister Peiris highlighted the need for both countries to work in close collaboration to reap the benefits of international and regional trade pacts, especially in the apparel sector, as Bangladesh is one of the top manufacturers of high quality garments.

The Bangladesh High Commissioner emphasized the importance of enhancing shipping cooperation between the two countries and the early conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), as tangible measures to boost bilateral trade relations in the years ahead.

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh next year was also discussed during the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

08 October 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-bangladesh/)

The Sri Lanka Missions in South Asia, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, have been closely engaging with the Sri Lankan communities overseas and are working towards assisting and facilitating the many Sri Lankan expatriates in the region in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Mission wise, databases of Sri Lankan students and other expatriates are being compiled by the Missions with a view to keeping in close contact and ensuring their welfare at all times.

The Government of Sri Lanka with its recent announcement requesting all Sri Lankan expatriates to remain in their current locations until the risk of COVID-19 is minimized, has further assured that requests for return of Sri Lankans will be considered once the spread of the virus is contained in the country.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Missions in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kathmandu, Islamabad, Dhaka,  Kabul and Malé have established ‘hotlines’ and social media groups and have been networking with Sri Lankans overseas and community organizations and representatives assisting them to stay in their current locations in a safe environment, in compliance with local regulations and also to ensure that those Sri Lankans in different locations have access to food and other necessities.

Missions have also been coordinating and discussing with the respective authorities and have also intervened and sought clearances for visa extensions, as required. Certain Missions have also been liaising with local health authorities in preparing COVID-I9 awareness messages in Sinhala language for circulation of messages to the community via mobile devices. With forecasted lockdowns in certain stations, these Missions have taken necessary steps to set up sub-offices at the residences of Diplomatic Staff, to work from home and continue the services to the community.