- Error
Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA LEADS THE SRI LANKA DELEGATION TO THE INFORMAL MEETING OF SAARC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Friday, 25 September 2020 01:41
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena led the Sri Lankan delegation to the informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 24 September 2020. The annual event, which traditionally takes place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, was convened in virtual mode this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the informal meeting, Minister Gunawadena underlined the need for coordinated and collaborative action to mitigate the adverse impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, as the United Nations forecasts South Asian economies to contract by 4.8% this year. He also pointed out the importance of reviewing South Asia’s economic outlook, finding employment for impacted workforce, revitalizing businesses, while increasing production.
Minister Gunawardena conveyed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National Policy Framework “Visions of Prosperity and Splendour” envisages a non-aligned, neutral and friendly foreign policy with an enhanced focus on Asian neighbours to keep regional cooperation in the forefront. The SAARC has the potential to become a catalyst in economic growth and prosperity. South Asia should expand cooperation in soft projects such as public health, poverty alleviation, agriculture, food security, environment, education and promotion of people to people contacts, he added.
The meeting was chaired by Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, facilitated by the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. The newly appointed Secretary General of SAARC Esala Weerakoon also addressed the informal meeting. The Sri Lanka delegation comprised Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Ministry.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
24 September 2020
STATEMENT BY H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 75TH SESSION OF THE UNGA, 22 SEPTEMBER 2020
Thursday, 24 September 2020 00:00
VIRTUAL SUMMIT BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER RAJAPAKSA AND PRIME MINISTER MODI ON 26 SEPTEMBER
Wednesday, 23 September 2020 15:28
The Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and India are scheduled to have a Virtual Bilateral Summit on Saturday, 26 September 2020.
On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had a telephone conversation with the newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 06 August 2020, both leaders agreed to review the multifaceted bilateral relationship through the scheduled Virtual Summit.
The Summit level interaction is expected to focus on the full gamut of bilateral engagement inter-alia political, economic, finance, development, defence and security spheres, educational, tourism and cultural as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Relevant subject Ministers and Senior Officials of both countries will associate the leaders at the Summit.
This is the first Virtual Summit level interaction by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with a foreign leader since assuming premiership last month.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
23 September 2020
FOREIGN SECRETARY OUTLINES SPECIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY SRI LANKA MISSIONS OVERSEAS DURING COVID PANDEMIC
Tuesday, 22 September 2020 16:01
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT AT THE VIRTUAL ‘HIGH – LEVEL EVENT ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE ERA OF COVID – 19 AND BEYOND’ ORGANIZED BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF CANADA, JAMAICA AND THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL
Monday, 21 September 2020 19:29
INTERVIEW OF FOREIGN SECRETARY COLOMBAGE ON INDIA’S THANTHI TV
Saturday, 19 September 2020 20:57
Full Interview at: https://youtu.be/N8w6DfoLMmE
FOREIGN MINISTER GUNAWARDENA AND THE EU AMBASSADORS IN COLOMBO DISCUSS WAYS TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE EU-SRI LANKA BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT
Friday, 04 September 2020 18:43
Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in Colombo Denis Chaibi along with the EU Ambassadors of Italy, the Netherlands and Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassies of Romania, Germany and France paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on 2 September 2020.
The Ambassadors offered congratulations to the Foreign Minister on his re-appointment and expressed the desire for continued closer cooperation. It was noted that Europe was the number one destination for Sri Lanka's exports and a major source of foreign direct investment and tourism. The Ambassadors said that Sri Lanka has performed remarkably well in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and as a result, they were confident that European tourists would return to Sri Lanka, once the airports were reopened.
The Ambassadors also discussed the status of EU development assistance to Sri Lanka and expressed the desire to support the government's economic development priorities. They briefed the Foreign Minister on the EU assisted ongoing projects in agriculture, vocational training, food safety, among others.
The Ambassadors also discussed proposed reforms and recent political developments following the election of the new government.
State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage also participated in the meeting.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
04 September 2020
Page 63 of 166
