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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canada celebrates Christmas
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canada in coordination with the Good Shepherd Church in Ottawa organised a Christmas celebration on 22 December 2019 at the Church premises.
The celebrations commenced with the Welcome Address by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama who spoke of the universal event of Christmas which marked the birth of Christ over 2000 years ago. He stated that Christmas was a time to remember those who were less privileged, the sick, the hungry and the poor and the importance of treating one another with love and compassion. He also remembered the victims of the senseless terror attacks in Sri Lanka on 21 April 2019 which occurred eight month ago.
The High Commissioner’s address was followed by a holy Mass conducted by Reverend Father Virgil Amirthakumar and Father Yacob Joseph. Hymns and Christmas carols in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages were rendered by the Tamil Group and the Ottawa-Sri Lanka Catholic Prayer Group.
Following the Vote of Thanks, the guests were served light refreshments and freshly brewed Ceylon Tea, complements of the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Basilar, while children were delighted by Santa Clause who distributed candy to the young guests.
The Christmas celebration was well attended by over 200 Sri Lanka nationals, Canadians of Sri Lankan origin and Canadians among others.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa
23rd December 2019
FOREIGN MINISTER PEIRIS SEEKS ENHANCED MARKET ACCESS FOR SRI LANKAN EXPORTS IN BRAZIL
Foreign Minister G.L.Peiris has sought greater access in the burgeoning Brazilian market for Sri Lankan export products. The Minister made this request during a meeting with the Ambassador of Brazil to Sri Lanka Sergio Luiz Canaes at the Foreign Ministry on 29 September 2021. Foreign Minister Peiris, welcoming Ambassador Canaes conveyed Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to forge closer relations with Brazil in diverse areas of bilateral interest.
At the meeting, both Minister Peiris and Ambassador Canaes agreed to work towards reaching common ground on several major global issues of mutual interest, including climate change, renewable energy, reforms of multilateral institutions and South-South cooperation. The Foreign Minister conveyed his interest to reinvigorate stronger ties with Brazil and the entire South and Central American region in the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s longstanding Non-Aligned tradition.
Underlining the unexplored trade potential that exists between the two countries, Minister Peiris outlined the market opportunities available in Brazil for authentic Sri Lankan products, such as tea, spices and precious and semi-precious gemstones. He also invited Ambassador Canaes to actively promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination among Brazilian travellers.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
01 October 2021
Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi calls for optimising bilateral economic linkages
Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi who arrived in Sri Lanka on a two day visit, called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Foreign Ministry on Monday (02/12) and discussed the growing bilateral relations that could be further diversified and developed in the main sectors.
The visiting Foreign Minister congratulated Minister Gunawardena on his new assignment and stated that Pakistan looks forward with much enthusiasm in working with Sri Lanka and invited the Minister to visit the country in the near future. Minister Qureshi commended the Sri Lankan government of its efforts in eradicating terrorism and defeating the LTTE and thereby restoring peace in the region which was of vital importance.
The Minister emphasized that the two countries having held longstanding trade ties need to reach a higher level of economic cooperation, which at present has not been fully optimised and there is much potential for economic linkages to be strengthened. He highlighted that Sri Lanka is presently not fully utilizing its credit line of USD 200 million with Pakistan and invited Sri Lanka to make use of the opportunity, especially in the animal husbandry area, which would be beneficial for the country. The Minister also informed that both countries must look towards strengthening the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSLFTA) which was the first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) of Pakistan.
He requested the Foreign Ministry to identify potential areas of trade and investment and plan a programme which would introduce the Sri Lankan business sector to visit Pakistan and form linkages with suitable counterparts in Pakistan. He further commended the Sri Lankan government's efforts in strengthening defence cooperation and looked forward to further intelligence sharing to help each other as committed neighbours.
Minister Gunawardena welcomed his Pakistan counterpart and conveyed Sri Lanka’s sincere appreciation for Pakistan’s partnership in multifaceted cooperation including the steadfast support for the country’s development process. The Minister stated that this visit is the first to be made of a Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka following the formation of the Cabinet, after the election of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Minister Gunawardena informed his counterpart that Sri Lanka is committed to continuing our partnership in all possible areas of cooperation and looked forward to engaging in the fields of tourism and higher education, in addition to the growing bilateral economic partnership.
Minister Qureshi invited a delegation of Buddhist clergy from Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan and witness the beautiful Buddhist religious sites and travel the country in an effort to invigorate the growing cultural relations.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi also called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan was accompanied by Director General of South Asia and SAARC of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry Dr . Muhammad Faisal, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Tanvir Ahmad, Defence Attache’ Col. Sajjad Ali and Second Secretary of Pakistan High Commission Ayesha Abubakar Fahad.
Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and senior officials of the Ministry were also present at the meeting.
2 December 2019
FOREIGN MINISTER PROFESSOR G.L PEIRIS REITERATES SUPPORT TO THE PALESTINE CAUSE DURING COURTESY CALL BY THE PALESTINE AMBASSADOR TO SRI LANKA
Ambassador of the State of Palestinian in Sri Lanka, Dr. Zuhair M.H. Dar Zaid, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Professor G.L Peiris on 28th September at the Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine extended warm wishes from the President, Government and people of the State of Palestine, reiterated the State of Palestine's continued support for Sri Lanka and stated his intention to strengthen the existing friendly relations.
Minister Peiris elaborated that former President and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had founded the Sri Lanka Palestinian Friendship society, as a young Member of Parliament, and had served as its Chairman for the past 25 years. The Minister also highlighted that Sri Lanka had continuously supported the Palestinian cause and in recognition a road had been named after former President Rajapaksa in Ramallah.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the support Palestine extended to Sri Lanka in the multilateral arena, including at the Human Rights Council, where they had opposed countries being singled out for political purposes and urged that countries be allowed to solve their national issues.
The Minister assured Sri Lanka's continued support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent, sovereign state based on the relevant UN resolutions. Both reiterated their strong commitment to having greater cooperation for mutual benefits.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
30 September, 2021
MEDIA STATEMENT
The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Relations has been drawn to remarks made by Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila over media on 3 December 2019 in connection with the reference to Sri Lanka in the election manifesto of the Conservative Party in the run up to the general election in the United Kingdom scheduled for 12 December 2019.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Relations wishes to state that a paragraph on page 53 of the Conservative party manifesto which refers to Sri Lanka is worded as follows:
'We will continue to support international initiatives to achieve reconciliation, stability and justice across the world, and in the former conflict zones such as Cyprus, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, where we maintain our support for a two-state solution;'
Following publication of the manifesto, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the UK in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Relations took immediate steps to make strong representation to the Co-Chair of the Conservative Party The Rt. Hon. James Cleverly with regard to the distortion contained in the manifesto in its reference to Sri Lanka. This was conveyed through letter by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in the UK Manisha Gunasekera on 27 November 2019 addressed to the Co-Chair of the Conservative party.
The High Commissioner affirmed that the reference to Sri Lanka as a country which requires a two-state solution is unacceptable, and has never been the position of any party in the UK. She reaffirmed that successive British Governments led by all parties have always supported peace and reconciliation in a united Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner therefore requested that the paragraph be suitably amended to accurately reflect the Conservative party position on Sri Lanka. A copy of the letter is annexed herewith for perusal (Annex I)
Subsequent to representation by the High Commissioner through the above submission as well as through outreach to senior representatives of the Conservative party, the Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party Paul Scully issued the following clarification on the subject to the High Commissioner by his email communication of 27 November 2019:
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