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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Sri Lanka Represented in the Economic Mission to Newfoundland and Labrador Province of Canada

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar participated in an Economic Mission to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), jointly organized by Global Affairs Canada and the Provincial Government of NL. The programme held from 3^rd to 8^th November 2024, was tailored for Heads of Mission and diplomats based in Ottawa and to highlight the province's opportunities for trade, investment, and educational collaboration.

The programme included briefing sessions by NL government officials and private sector representatives on renewable energy, oil and gas, and other key industries and field visits to Memorial University, which hosts over 4,100 international students, including Sri Lankans, and offers world-class facilities, focused on ocean-related research and innovation such as the Marine Institute. The High commissioner paid courtesy calls on Lt. Governor, Joan Marie J. Aylward and Premier, Dr. Andrew Furey, during the visit.

The visit helped to identify potential collaborations as well as opportunities to enhance trade and academic and research partnerships in the future, given NL’s strengths in fisheries, marine sciences, renewable energy and technology.

The High Commissioner, during the visit, met members of Sri Lankan community in St.John’s, comprising professionals, students, and others residing in the Province, fostering connections.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

25 th November 2024

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar participated in an Economic Mission to the

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), jointly organized by Global Affairs

Canada and the Provincial Government of NL. The programme held from 3rd to 8th

November 2024, was tailored for Heads of Mission and diplomats based in Ottawa and

to highlight the province's opportunities for trade, investment, and educational

collaboration.

The programme included briefing sessions by NL government officials and private

sector representatives on renewable energy, oil and gas, and other key industries and

field visits to Memorial University, which hosts over 4,100 international students,

including Sri Lankans, and offers world-class facilities, focused on ocean-related

research and innovation such as the Marine Institute. The High commissioner paid

courtesy calls on Lt. Governor, Joan Marie J. Aylward and Premier, Dr. Andrew Furey,

during the visit.

The visit helped to identify potential collaborations as well as opportunities to enhance

trade and academic and research partnerships in the future, given NL’s strengths in

fisheries, marine sciences, renewable energy and technology.

The High Commissioner, during the visit, met members of Sri Lankan community in St.

John’s, comprising professionals, students, and others residing in the Province,

fostering connections.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

25 th November 2024

FOREIGN MINISTRY ORGANIZES SEVERAL SPECIAL VESAK PROGRAMMES

Under the guidance of Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, the Foreign Ministry has planned several religious programmes to celebrate the Vesak Festival this year.

Accordingly, a special Dhamma Discourse organized by the Foreign Ministry was held on 21 May at the Bambalapitiya Siri Vajirama Temple under the patronage of Most Ven. Gnanaseeha Nayaka Thero.

Concurrent to the sermon, parcels containing dry food items were distributed among the families of the cleaning crew members of the Ministry affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic, led by the Foreign Service Association and the Foreign Ministry Welfare Association.

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, President of the Foreign Service Association Wishwanath Aponso and other officials of the Association as well as senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present at the occasion.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

23 May 2021

Sri Lanka elected to the UN Commission on International Trade Law

Sri Lanka was among thirty-one (31) members elected to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 2024.

Sri Lanka contested for a seat from the Asia Pacific Group, and secured 177 votes. This was the second highest number of votes within the group, and second highest overall among the thirty one members elected.

Other member states elected from the Asia Pacific Group to the UNCITRAL are Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Viet Nam, China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

Sri Lanka will serve a six (6) year term, commencing in January 2025.

UNCITRAL, established in 1966 and Headquartered in Vienna, is the core legal body in the field of international trade. Its mandate includes removing obstacles to trade and harmonising trade laws.

UNCITRAL also provides technical assistance to member States. Sri Lanka’s legislation for the facilitation of trade and investment such as the Sri Lanka Arbitration Act and the Electronic Transaction Act have benefitted from model laws by UNCITRAL.

Sri Lanka has previously served as a Member of UNCITRAL from 2004 – 2007, and 2016 – 2022.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

22 November 2024

FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA MEETS EU AMBASSADORS IN COLOMBO

2021-0519

Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) based in Colombo called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday 18 May 2021 at the Foreign Ministry, and discussed issues of mutual interest, including EU-Sri Lanka cooperation, and the GSP Plus process.

The Foreign Minister welcomed the multifaceted cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and the EU. Follow up action on the EU - Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting held on 25 January 2021 was also discussed.

Among other issues discussed was the EU’s contribution towards the COVAX facility supporting global efforts to secure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by countries, including Sri Lanka, in the context of the national action plan to inoculate its adult population against the virus.

The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi, the Ambassador of France Eric Lavertu, the Ambassador of Italy Rita Mannella, the Ambassador of the Netherlands Tanja Gonggrip, the Ambassador of Germany Holger Seubert, and the Chargé d’Affaires of Romania Victor Chiujdea participated in the meeting. The State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

19 May 2021

Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja assumes duties

Newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, following her appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 19 November 2024. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

A career Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer, Secretary Aruni Ranaraja counts 28 years of service in the Foreign Ministry. She has served both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Missions abroad, in various capacities including as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Philippines. She also served as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Immediately prior to her appointment she served as Additional Secretary and Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since April 2024.

Mrs. Aruni Ranaraja holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the State University of Ukraine and Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the same University. In addition to her native languages, she is fluent in English and Russian, and understands Japanese.