Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

A Reception for Members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Community and senior officials of the Government of Canada, was hosted on 24^th February 2020 by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canada to celebrate the National Day of Sri Lanka at the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel.

The Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development of Canada, Hon. Paul Thoppil graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

The evening began with a welcome address followed by the singing of the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Canada after which Sithara Khan, the Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada, addressed the gathering.

The Acting High Commissioner in her address referred to the strong bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Canada spanning over six decades and the ongoing bilateral engagements and trade ties between the two countries.

In her address, the Acting High Commissioner highlighted the economic policies outlined in His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ and quoted excerpts on H. E the President’s commitment to create a progressive national economy and a pluralistic society. The Acting High Commissioner noted that the vision of H. E the President set the pace for Sri Lanka to enter an era of prosperity.

Acting High Commissioner Khan also outlined Sri Lanka’s economic growth and the measures taken to prioritize business-friendly policies to increase business, trade and investment. In this context, she pointed out to the conclusion of the first code-share Air Transport Agreement (ATA) on 5 December, 2016 between Sri Lanka and Canada and stated that following the conclusion of the ATA, an increase in tourism from Canada to Sri Lanka was observed. The Acting High Commissioner noted that Sri Lanka has much to offer the world and to all visitors to the country and added that Sri Lanka has something for everyone.

South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Dr. Naledi Pandor received Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Permanent Mission of South Africa in New York, on Friday 24 September 2021, for a bilateral meeting, on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage.

Minister Pandor congratulated the Minister on his appointment as Foreign Minister and recalled the close and friendly bilateral ties between the two countries. Minister Peiris recalled his long association with South Africa dating to his Doctoral work where he had visited South African Universities and conducted a series of lectures on Constitutional Law.  The Minister also recalled fondly his close friendships and connections with prominent and leading South African Minister Dullah Omar, and leading personalities Roelf Meyer and Ebrahim Ebrahim, who played pivotal roles in the freedom struggle against the Apartheid government and several visits undertaken to South Africa at a High Level. He said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had attended the funeral of the late President Nelson Mandela.

The Minister highlighted that Sri Lanka had closely looked at South Africa’s rich experience and unique history in the areas of reconciliation and truth, and while noting that many aspects were particular to South Africa’s own national experience, Sri Lanka had carefully reflected on some aspects of this experience. Minister Peiris briefed his South African counterpart about Sri Lanka’s own initiatives, including its own Office of Missing Persons and Office of Reparations and their contribution towards Sri Lanka’s post conflict development and national unity.

Minister Pandor highlighted that South Africa was pleased to share their experiences and lessons with countries looking to address post conflict issues and that they continued to learn lessons in addressing past human rights abuses and on issues related to reparations.

Minister Peiris invited his counterpart to visit Sri Lanka to expand on the rich bilateral relations between the two sides. Minister Pandora also extended an invitation for the Minister to visit South Africa and renew close ties. The two Ministers appreciated the deep and close ties of friendship between the two countries and close cooperation in the multilateral arena.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

26 September 2021

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

43^rd Session of the Human Rights Council – High Level Segment

Statement by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations of

Sri Lanka

26 February 2020

Madam President

Madam High Commissioner

Ladies and gentlemen,

As this Council is aware, in November 2019, the people of Sri Lanka gave a resounding mandate to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, to pursue a policy framework aimed at achieving the “four-fold outcome of a productive citizenry; a contented family, a disciplined, a just society and a prosperous nation”^[1]. It is envisaged to achieve sustainable development and peace in the country, firmly anchored in safeguarding “national security without compromising the democratic space available to our people”[2].

It was over a decade ago, on 18 May 2009, that Sri Lanka defeated LTTE terrorism militarily, bringing to an end three decades of conflict and suffering. The end of the brutal conflict advanced, secured and protected one of the fundamental human rights - the ‘right to life’ for all Sri Lankans- Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslims and others. I would like to state with pride that since May 2009, not a bullet has been fired in the name of separatist terrorism in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka never had any illusion that the end of the conflict against the LTTE terrorists, will overnight convert to a lasting peace. Although Sri Lanka was not a case of nation building, like many conflict situations that this Council is dealing with, we were mindful that Sri Lanka needed certain reviews and strengthening of existing structures, as part of a sustainable peace and reconciliation programme.

The government led by the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa, of which the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, initiated a sustainable reconciliation process in Sri Lanka to bring about ‘healing and peace building’, taking due cognizance of the ground realities at that time. This was viewed as an incremental and inclusive process, as it had taken even better-resourced countries several decades to address and achieve.

Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi welcomed the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka to the Mission of Indonesia in New York. The Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasized that there are no bilateral issues between the two countries and hence the priority as Foreign Ministers is to strengthen bilateral relations with a special focus on economic cooperation. The Preferential Trade Agreement which is being discussed needs to be finalized in order to enhance bilateral trade.

Minister G.L. Peiris indicated that relations between the two countries as members of the nonaligned movement are critically important. The NAM is relevant even today since the philosophy of NAM is not to align on every issue but to judge every issue on its own merits. Hence we need to infuse more energy to this movement. Minister Peiris also indicated that Indonesia and Sri Lanka share a keen interest in Indian Ocean security. Therefore it is necessary to further empower the Indian Ocean Rim Association and ASEAN Regional Forum. Minister Peiris furthermore appreciated the cooperation in defence, intelligence sharing and staff level consultations with regards to countering terrorism and other forms of maritime crimes. Minister further highlighted that Sri Lanka wishes to have greater interaction with ASEAN since there are vibrant trade relations with some members of ASEAN and the potential synergy is evident. In this regard, Sri Lanka wishes to be a sectoral dialogue partner and to create a bridge between SAARC and ASEAN.  The Minister congratulated the Government of Indonesia on the remarkable success of combating the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has resulted in unifying forces of humanity and allows us to come together in solidarity. The Minister also indicated the potential for enhancing tourism between the two countries.

Both Ministers agreed that there is a need to invigorate NAM and IORA to ensure effective outcomes. The Foreign Minister also agreed to visit each other’s countries at mutually convenient times.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

25 September, 2021

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