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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. PEIRIS
The High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka Michael Appleton paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry on 29 September 2021.
High Commissioner Appleton congratulated Prof. Peiris for his appointment as the Foreign Minister and expressed commitment to work closely with him in the future to enhance the partnership between the two countries to further heights. He mentioned that New Zealand has partnered with Sri Lanka in several fields, especially in the dairy and agricultural sectors, and it is high time now for both countries to identify new areas of cooperation in a spirit of friendship.
Prof. Peiris, while recalling the mutually beneficial partnership between Sri Lanka and New Zealand expressed his confidence that the opening up of the resident New Zealand High Commission in Colombo would immensely contribute to the further advancement of bilateral engagements between the two countries.
Noting Sri Lanka as one of the oldest countries that enjoy the universal adult franchise, Prof. Peiris explained the ongoing electoral reform process in Sri Lanka intending to expand the democratic representation in the Parliament and other legislative councils. Underlining the positive nature of the current electoral system in New Zealand, Minister informed that Sri Lanka wishes to learn from the electoral system in New Zealand and extract elements that are capable of adaptation to the domestic system. Prof. Peiris further informed that the government is very keen on reviving the domestic dairy industry given its wider impact on the farming community and consumers in the country and sought to continue the partnership with the New Zealand side to this effect. Collaboration in several other spheres including counterterrorism, trade, investment, and tourism was also discussed.
New Zealand opened its resident diplomatic Mission in Sri Lanka in August 2021, following a mutual agreement reached by the two countries to establish resident Missions, and Michael Appleton functions as the first resident High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
30 September 2021
(https://mfa.gov.lk/nzhc-fm-sl/)
H.E the President's interview to The Hindu during the recent visit to #India
MYANMAR AMBASSADOR CALLS ON THE FOREIGN MINISTER
Myanmar Ambassador to Sri Lanka U Han Thu called on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry on 28 September 2021.
While congratulating Prof. Peiris on his appointment as the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Thu briefed the Minister on the current political situation in Myanmar, and actions that are being taken to bring normalcy to the country, including holding a free and fair multiparty election in the next two years.
Minister Peiris, while recalling the historical links between the two countries, mentioned that Buddhism and culture are the key pillars of close bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Myanmar. He further mentioned that Sri Lanka strongly supports social and political stability within an inclusive democratic framework in Myanmar, as the latter is essential for the progress and prosperity of the people of Myanmar.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Myanmar in Colombo.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
29 September, 2021
SRI LANKA’S CONTINUING CLOSE AND CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH THE UK IS DESIRABLE AND POTENTIALLY PRODUCTIVE
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris received High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton, and conducted an open and wide-ranging discussion in Colombo on Tuesday (28). During the engagement, Minister Peiris and the UK Envoy discussed several key issues pertaining to the close bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister referred to the recent cordial engagement with British Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad on the side-lines of the 76th UN General Assembly in New York, following up on previous communication with the UK’s Minister of State. This dialogue, the Minister stated, is important in the context of Lord Ahmad’s initiatives to engage the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK and to generate a more realistic understanding of contemporary developments in Sri Lanka. This is expected to be further enhanced by a proposed visit by the UK State Minister later in 2021.
Several key areas impacting on future Sri Lanka – UK bilateral relations were discussed, including the recent initiatives to foster and develop domestic reconciliation measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government. These included the work of the institutions dealing with national unity and reconciliation, missing persons, accountability and reparations. High Commissioner Hulton also raised concerns relating to certain high profile Sri Lankan cases that are of current interest and focus. Some of these issues were adverted to in the context of Sri Lanka’s ongoing engagement with the UN Human Rights Council.
Minister Peiris and High Commissioner Hulton also discussed enhanced trade and investment opportunities for UK businesses in Sri Lanka – especially new opportunities in the Port City development. Widening intra-Commonwealth trade and economic cooperation and related issues were also referred to.
Going forward, Sri Lanka’s positive commitments in support of global environmental initiatives in the larger context of participation in the upcoming COP26 Summit in the UK and its ongoing efforts in this sphere were also discussed.
Minister Peiris expressed his appreciation of the close, long-standing, historically significant and enduring relationship between the two countries and said he expected the fruitful and productive partnership to continue.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
29 September, 2021
State Minister Susil Premajayantha reiterates need to maintain close ties with neighbouring states
State Minister Susil Premajayantha assumed duties as the State Minister of International Cooperation on 28 November 2019 and was received by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and other senior officials upon his arrival at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo.
Minister Premajayantha addressing the gathering of senior officials, staff and media at the Ministry, following the assumption of duties, stated that he takes over duties as the State Minister in charge of International Cooperation at a time when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government faces many challenges in addressing prevailing issues in the international sphere. The State Minister reiterated that Sri Lanka will maintain its non-aligned foreign policy and remain an independent and sovereign nation, which maintains friendly relations with all states, especially the regional states and close neighbours with whom Sri Lanka has upheld close and friendly ties over the years.
The State Minister highlighted that he is looking forward to working in close collaboration with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Secretary Aryasinha and the officials of the Ministry in achieving the foreign policy objectives of the country under the leadership of President Rajapaksa.
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Colombo
29 November 2019
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