Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Addressing the 26^th session of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held on 02 August 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana stressed the necessity for concerted global efforts to counter traditional and non-traditional security concerns including terrorism, violent extremism and cybercrime. In this context, Minister Marapana underscored the need for a deepened resolve among the ARF participants to overcome these challenges.

The 26^th ARF session focused on expanding confidence building measures and enhancing cooperation in areas such as the anti-terrorism effort, strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, preventive diplomacy, countering violent extremism, promoting women, peace and security and ensuring the secure use of information and communication technologies.

Further, the Meeting condemned multifaceted acts of terrorism including the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka and the recent acts of violence in New Zealand and the Philippines.

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

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

GLOBAL

By SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN JUL. 18, 2019

‘This is what we can’t accept’: A unanimous House motion in June called on the UN to investigate ‘allegations of genocide’ against the country’s minority Tamils, a term the South Asian nation categorically rejects.

It’s been a “very challenging” first year for Sri Lanka’s new high commissioner, whose arrival last fall came months before the 10th anniversary of armed conflict ending in the South Asian country that was also rocked by a slate of bombings on Easter Sunday this year.

Since his November 2018 start, Asoka Girihagama said much of his time has been devoted to developing political relationships in Canada against that backdrop, though he says the two nations share strong, and long-standing relations. Canada is also helping to support reconciliation, an ongoing effort between the minority Tamil and majority Sinhalese populations in the island nation still recovering from 26 years of war.

May marked the 10-year anniversary of its end, with commemorations across Canada, which is home to more than 200,000 people of Sri Lankan descent—according to Global Affairs Canada, though the community’s estimates are far higher—with most living near Toronto, and the majority of Tamil origin.

In June, before the House rose, MPs gave unanimous support for a motion that called on the Sri Lankan government to “protect the rights of religious minorities,” and said the United Nations should do an independent investigation “into allegations of genocide against Tamils,” including during the last phase of conflict in 2009.

“This is what we can’t accept,” he said of the term genocide, saying the UN investigation is unnecessary since the country has already supported a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council, which recognized the need for truth, justice, and reparations after the war.

It’s political statements like this that Mr. Girihagama said made for a “very challenging” first year, where he’s been “trying to convince this political leadership in Canada that there has been no genocide in Sri Lanka.”

“I’m really careful about these issues,”  he said in a July 5 interview at the downtown Laurier Avenue high commission, because they’re “very sensitive.”

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

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-consular/)