Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

JOINT STAMP LAUNCHES IN SRI LANKA AND SINGAPORE TO COMMEMORATE 50 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES

A joint stamp release ceremony was held at the Foreign Ministry, Sri Lanka on 27 July to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties which took place on the same day in 1970. This milestone event was held with the participation of the Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, joining virtually.

The two stamps ceremonially unveiled at the event, were especially designed for the occasion to depict the theme “Marine Conservation”, and showcase the restoration of Coral Ecosystem in Sri Lanka, and Mangroves in Singapore and reflects the shared interest and commitment of both countries in protecting the marine environment.

Speaking at the occasion, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena highlighted the long standing friendly relations between the two countries, nurtured by deep rooted linkages at community and societal levels. He recalled his meeting with Minister Balakrishnan when both were holding different portfolios and the discussions held on tackling challenges posed by climate change across the globe. The Minister Gunawardena said further that the unveiling of commemorative postage stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, undoubtedly shows the great warmth and friendship that exist between the two countries.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, in his remarks, spoke on the warm and long-standing nature of Singapore-Sri Lanka relations. He noted the close and meaningful cooperation between our two countries, including during this COVID-19 period.

The event was attended by the former Sri Lanka High Commissioners who served in Singapore, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Nimal Weerarathna, Ferial Ashraff and Hony. Consul of Singapore in Sri Lanka Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Singaporean business community in Sri Lanka, Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media, Officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Department of Posts.

Meanwhile in Singapore, a ceremony was held at the Shangri La a few hours prior to the Colombo event where High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore Sashikala Premawardhane and Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore Chandra Das unveiled the two stamps in the presence of Director-General of the South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Gilbert Oh. Deputy Director of Postal & Consumer Policy, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) Ruth Wong, and Vice President Philately & Stamps Peggy Teo together with several other officials of MFA, IMDB, SingPost and the High Commission of Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Ministry extends its appreciation and congratulations to the Government of Singapore, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, SingPost, and the Department of Post of Sri Lanka and to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore for the successful issuance of the commemorative stamps marking 50 years of friendship between Sri Lanka and Singapore.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

27 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/joint-stamp-sl-sin/)

Statement by Hon. Tilak Marapana, P.C. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and Leader of the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council on Agenda Item 2

Statement by Hon. Tilak Marapana, P.C. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and Leader of the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 40^th Session of the Human Rights Council on Agenda Item 2 -Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on ‘Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka: 20 March 2019 – Geneva.

Mr. President,

Madam High Commissioner/Deputy High Commissioner,

Members of the Council and Delegates to the 40th Session of HRC,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am pleased to be at the 40^th Session of the HRC to share Sri Lanka’s significant progress on human rights since the last review in 2017. I am joined by my parliamentary colleague Hon. (Dr) Sarath Amunugama, the Governor of the Northern Province Hon (Dr) Suren Raghavan, senior government officials including Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, and Permanent Representative Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez.

Sri Lanka’s engagement in these Council sessions is in keeping with our government’s vision for a country that embodies the universal values of human rights, justice, rule of law and good governance, while striving to eradicate poverty and ensure economic dividends to all – providing the people a fundamental assurance of security and a sustainable future.

APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW ZEALAND TO SRI LANKA

The Government of New Zealand with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Michael Edward Appleton as the first High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 22 July 2021 at 10.30 a.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

22 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/new-zealand-sl/)

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa holds an awareness forum titled “Why the Thripitaka needs to be a World Heritage”

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa together with the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya, Ottawa Buddhist Vihara, the Ottawa Theravada Buddhist Vihara and the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Ottawa held an awareness forum titled “Why the Thripitaka needs to be a World Heritage” on Saturday, 16th March 2019 at the Ottawa Masonic Centre.

The programme commenced with the observance of the five precepts followed by an address by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama. In his address, High Commissioner Girihagama outlined the background of the forum and the efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka in making the Thripitaka a World Heritage. He stated that the Government of Sri Lanka had taken action to submit the application to the UNESCO to make the Tripitaka a world heritage which would be considered at an appropriate session at the UNESCO in the near future.

APPOINTMENT OF AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA TO SRI LANKA

The Government of the Republic of Cuba with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Andrés Marcelo Garrido as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka in Succession of H.E. (Ms.) Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 22 July 2021 at 10.30 a.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.