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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
Foreign Secretary Aryasinha welcomes proposal for Maldives’ readmission to Commonwealth
Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha on Thursday welcomed the proposal for the readmission of the Maldives to the Commonwealth family reiterating that Sri Lanka fully supports the fast track procedure previously applied in the readmission of Gambia, to allow the Maldives to participate fully at CHOGM 2020 in Rwanda.
He made this observation at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held in New York on 26 September 2019 on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, chaired by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations. Aryasinha said, “as a close neighbor and a fellow South Asian nation, Sri Lanka enjoys strong bilateral ties with the Maldives, and it is gratifying that one of the primary initiatives embarked upon by the new Maldivian administration last year was to convey its intention to re-join the Commonwealth.”
The Foreign Secretary noted that particularly given that the Commonwealth Secretariat had carried out a comprehensive assessment mission in the Maldives in January 2019 resulting in a positive outcome; any perceived obstacles to its re-entry should be seen as mere imperfections that afflict all countries from time to time. He urged that additional hurdles not be placed in their way, which would serve as a disincentive.
FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. G. L PEIRIS DISCUSSES STRENGTHENING MUTUAL COOPERATION WITH AUSTRALIA
Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at a courtesy call paid by the High Commissioner of Australia David Holly on 25 August 2021, discussed avenues for advancing bilateral relations with Australia across multiple fields of mutual interest.
While appreciating Australia’s continued assistance on numerous fronts, Foreign Minister Peiris particularly, underlined Sri Lanka’s commitment and interest to enhance cooperation in countering irregular migration by sea, combatting COVID-19, education, technical & vocational training, economic and investment sectors, which was reciprocated by Australia.
High Commissioner Holly extended sincere felicitations on the appointment of the Foreign Minister and reiterated that Australia was ready to assist Sri Lanka in the socio-economic development process.
Being Indian Ocean neighbours, the two sides identified the importance of close collaboration in the maritime field, including in the prevention of future maritime disasters and cooperation in international & regional forums on issues of shared interest.
Foreign Minister Peiris and the Australian High Commissioner Holly also agreed to jointly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia in 2022.
Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Ministry participated in the meeting.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
26 August, 2021
Foreign Secretary Aryasinha underscores the relevance of the Bandung Principles as global multilateral mechanisms come under strain
Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha on 26 September 2019 underscored the relevance of the Bandung Principles at a time when global multilateral mechanisms are under strain, when addressing the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in New York, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Given that NAM encompasses 55 percent of the world’s population it has a moral duty to give voice to the concerns of the Global South, especially the developing small States.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to NAM efforts to address current global challenges that transcend national borders such as conflict, migration, climate change and communicable diseases. Non-traditional security threats such as climate change have emerged not only as an economic and social challenge but as a security threat where societies and countries are made vulnerable due to man-made disasters. While welcoming the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit held at the UN Headquarters on 23 September 2019, Secretary Aryasinha expressed deep concern about the negative impacts of climate change, particularly on island nations such as Sri Lanka. The Foreign Secretary also expressed hope that the upcoming COP25, to be held in Chile would galvanize efforts in combating climate change by meeting the commitments entailed in the Paris Agreement.
Foreign Secretary Aryasinha stated that Sri Lanka attaches importance on combating all forms of racism, hate and violent extremism and that there is a need to focus on the new threats that have emerged, demonstrated by the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. He stressed that such a global menace threatens the security of all nations and cannot be tackled by a single country alone but requires collective efforts and called on NAM to collectively contribute to this global security threat in a constructive and cohesive manner. The Foreign Secretary stated that Sri Lanka believes in a free society where freedom of expression is ensured, however there is a need to be conscious of the growing threat of hate speech and abuse of the internet and social media platforms.
The theme for the Ministerial Meeting was “Upholding principles of sovereignty and political independence as a means to maintain international peace and security and foster friendly relations and cooperation among States” and an outcome document was adopted at the meeting. Sri Lanka is a co-sponsor of the Bandung Conference of 1955 and a founding member of the NAM. The Group has continued to progress over the last six decades and its membership has now surpassed 120 - two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
26 September 2019
CONSULAR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Consular Affairs and Overseas Sri Lankans Division of the Foreign Ministry authenticates various documents through the Electronic Documentation Attestation System (e-DAS), which was implemented in 2017, facilitating Sri Lankans to travel abroad mainly for job employment and higher studies. Under Pre-COVID-19 environment, more than 1000 service seekers from different areas of the country obtained assistance daily through this system. The Electronic Document Attestation(e-DAS) is carried out through an innovate digital platform, aimed at improving and streamlining the service with speedy process, which is linked in real time with Sri Lankan Missions abroad, Foreign Missions based in Colombo, Regional Consular offices, as well as other government institutes.
In addition to verifying documents, other services such as facilitating payment of compensation, unpaid salaries, and social security entitlements to the beneficiaries; repatriation of human remains of Sri Lankan nationals and Sri Lankan origin foreign passport holders; facilitating the repatriation of stranded and destitute Sri Lankans abroad; and getting fishing vessels and fishermen in foreign custody released are facilitated by this division. Also, Regional Consular Offices established under the programme on Decentralization of Consular Services within the purview of the Ministry.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry was compelled to limit the number of officers at the Ministry as well as public visits, adhering to the public health guidelines and restrictions imposed to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Though, as precautionary measures, amidst some restrictions, the Consular Affairs and Overseas Sri Lankans Division continued its services to the public, taking into consideration their urgent requirements with a limited number of staff and resources. Hence, the public in need have had to wait longer than the usual time in the queue to obtain consular services.
The Consular Affairs and Overseas Sri Lankans Division hopes to resume normal service at the earliest possible opportunity.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
25 August, 2021
Comment of the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary General
Following the statement of the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary General yesterday (25 September 2019) that the UN Department of Peace Operations has decided to repatriate a Sri Lankan Army unit and individual officers currently serving with UN Peacekeeping due to concerns on the appointment of Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Government of Sri Lanka is in discussion on this issue with the UN. Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the 74th General Assembly Session is scheduled to discuss this matter with the Under Secretary General of the UN Department of Peace Operations, on Friday, 27 September 2019.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
26 September 2019
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