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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. G. L. PEIRIS ADDRESSES THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY AT FOREIGN MINISTRY

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris addressed the diplomatic community at the Foreign Ministry auditorium on 13 October 2021. The Colombo-based diplomatic community was present at the meeting which was conducted under the approved COVID-19 related guidelines.

At the outset the Minister appreciated his first opportunity to meet with the entire diplomatic corps collectively following his assumption of duties as Foreign Minister some weeks ago.  Due to the previously prevailing COVID-19 situation, such a meeting could not take place earlier as he would have wished, the Minister stated. The objective of the meeting was to cordially brief the diplomatic community on recent developments of interest to them.

The Minister stated that he was pleased to report that the COVID-19 situation in the country had improved, following a very successful vaccination effort. Despite severe challenges, over 70% of the population has now been fully vaccinated allowing for the gradual opening up of the country. The Minister sought the cooperation of the diplomatic community in the resumption of tourism and economic activity. The Minister expressed his appreciation to the diplomatic community for their support and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis including to all UN agencies as well as donors and Colombo–based multilateral financial institutions.

Minister Peiris also briefed the diplomatic community on his recent overseas engagements, including at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and during his visit to New York, accompanying the President when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. At the UNGA, Sri Lanka stood in solidarity with global efforts to address pressing issues which required a collective approach from all countries big and small. In the next major international engagement which will be the COP 26 in Glasgow where the Minister will accompany the President, Sri Lanka as a climate vulnerable country, will further reiterate its commitments in this regard.

The Minister also recalled his statement to the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council following the presentation of the Oral update on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, where he outlined Sri Lanka’s ongoing cooperation with the Council as well as the progress made on reconciliation and human rights through domestic institutions.  Further updating the diplomatic community in this regard, he stated that Sri Lanka is open in acknowledging the challenges faced  and will engage in candid discussions in this regard, both domestically with representatives of civil society as well as with the our international partners including the UN. However Sri Lanka rejects the establishment of an external mechanism when domestic processes were ongoing. The Minister also shared information relating to progress on the process of Constitutional reform and the Provincial Council elections.

The Minister further referred to the recent visits from the EU, in the context of the Joint Commission as well as to review the implementation of the GSP plus.  The Minister expressed satisfaction that the discussions were held in a cordial manner and that officials have taken note of outstanding matters.  The Minister recalled that the continuation of GSP plus is vital for the Sri Lankan economy, not only in the apparel sector, but also in other areas of bilateral trade. He stated that Sri Lanka’s efforts to achieve the SDGs as well as uplift the lives of our people require cooperation from all our international partners. COVID-19 dealt a significant blow to our plans and we need to recover.

The members of the diplomatic community thanked the Minister for his engagement and appreciated the opportunity provided to engage on issues of interest to them. Minister Peiris concluded the meeting by stating his intention to have regular interactions with the diplomatic community.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

13 October, 2021

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

 

Updated comment by Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Relations

Further to the Ministry comment yesterday (14 March 2020), regarding one of the family members of an officer of the Foreign Relations Ministry being diagnosed with COVID -19, and the series of precautionary measures taken to avoid and minimize the possible risk of transmission of the virus, the Ministry wishes to update the following:

It is firmly asserted that the Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and members of the Sri Lanka delegation to the recent Human Rights Council Meeting in Geneva had only interacted with the Foreign Ministry official concerned prior to the officer’s sole contact with the affected family member who was already travelling in Europe on a private engagement, during the period of 29 Feb - 1 March 2020.

Minister Gunawardena has also not come in to contact with the said officer, following the officer’s own return to Colombo on 8th March 2020.

The officer concerned had arrived at the Ministry only on one working day during the week starting 9th March which was prior to the return of the infected family member to Colombo which happened a few days later from the officer’s arrival.

Nevertheless, as a precautionary step, all staff who have come in to contact with the officer concerned, during this one working day last week, staff and family members residing in the Ministry quarters where the officer and family member reside and the staff of the Geneva Permanent Mission where the officer concerned was working during the previous 2 weeks, have been advised to ‘self-quarantine’.

Further action has been taken to disinfect the relevant areas of the Ministry and the quarters.

Presently the Ministry official is in good health.

The Ministry will continue to monitor and assess the situation to ensure the safety of its staff, its visitors and the general public.

 

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

15 March 2020

 

SINGAPOREANS DONATE COVID 19 RELATED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO SRI LANKA

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore in collaboration with the Religious Advisor of the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society of Singapore Ven. Dr. K. Gunaratana Thero obtained donations of COVID 19 related medical equipment from Henry Baey and a group of Singaporean well wishers which included 250 Oxygen Concentrators. A further donation of 20 Oxygen concentrators by Raquel Ruhie Takahashi was also received.

The donation from Singapore was handed over at a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo. Honorary Consul General of Singapore to Sri Lanka Jayantha Dharmadasa handed over the donation to Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage. The donation was thereafter handed over to State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana and Secretary of the State Ministry Dr. R.M.S.K. Rathnayake.

Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore made arrangements to send the donation which was air transported by courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

08 October, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/singapore-donate-sl/)

   

Sri Lanka will lead Science, Technology and Innovation Sector in BIMSTEC

IMG_6864

Sri Lanka will lead the Science, Technology and Innovation sector in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). A BIMSTEC Facility for Technology Transfer is planned to be opened in Sri Lanka in the future.  Sri Lanka will also appoint a Director to the BIMSTEC Secretariat in June this year.

This was agreed during the finalization of areas of cooperation among BIMSTEC Member States during the 20th Session of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SoM) Chaired by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha on 3 March 2020. The SOM was preceded by the 3rd Permanent Working Committee Meeting (BPWC) Chaired by Additional Secretary (Economic Affairs) P.M. Amza, from 1 to 2 March 2020 at the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

Sri Lanka is mandated to lead the sector on Science, Technology and Innovation under which cooperation in Technology, health and human resource development is also included. Bangladesh was mandated to lead Trade, Investment and Development, Bhutan - Environment and Climate Change, Myanmar - Agriculture and Food Security, India - Security (Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Disaster Management & Energy), Nepal - People to people contact (culture, tourism, forums of Think Thanks, Media etc) and Thailand - Connectivity. BIMSTEC Charter which is the institutional mechanism to effectively steer the process of regional cooperation under BIMSTEC was also finalized and is expected to be adopted at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit.

 

FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. G. L. PEIRIS MEETS WITH CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER DAVID MCKINNON

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/)

   

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