Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

A four member delegation from the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces visited Canada on a peacekeeping training programme initiated by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa and the Department of National Defense, Canada from 6-8th March 2019 in Canada.

The delegation visited National defence Headquarters and Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa and the Canadian Armed Forces, Peace Support Training Centre and the 1st Canadian Division/Disaster Assistance Response Team in Kingston during their stay.

The 5^th meeting of the Joint Readmission Committee between Sri Lanka and the European Community was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo on 11^th March 2019.

The Meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary (Multilateral Affairs), Ahmed A. Jawad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Head of Unit of Irregular Migration and Return Policy, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG-Home) of the European Commission, Dan Rotenberg.

The Agreement between the European Community and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the Readmission of Persons Residing without Authorisation, was signed on the 4^th of June 2004 and entered into force on 1^st May 2005.  It was part of an initiative to combat illegal migration and was also an indication of the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka and the European Community to combat all forms of organized crimes.  The Agreement also guarantees the safe and orderly return of illegal migrants and failed asylum seekers back to their country of origin.

The discussions were held in a very cordial atmosphere with both Parties pledging support in fulfilling the obligations under the Agreement.

In line with the mandate of the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation to enhance economic relations with the Middle-East, State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya held a phone discussion with Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

This discussion was initiated to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic ties in the Middle-East region. The two Ministers explored means of enhancing economic relations, including trade and investment between the two countries. During the discussion, State Minister Balasuriya highlighted the investment opportunities at the Port City of Colombo; the gateway to South Asia and invited Bahraini investors to seize abundant offerings of this special economic zone.

Minister Al-Zayani elaborated on the procedures that the Bahraini government had implemented to bolster the country’s economy, which has made it a favored destination for regional and international investors.

The Ministers also discussed several areas of mutual interest, including cooperation in the areas of tourism, the creative economy, where Small and Medium Enterprises play a key role, and in the multilateral arena.

The discussion was facilitated by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain Pradeepa Saram.

State Ministry of Regional Cooperation

Colombo

19 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sm-sl-bahrain/)

Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana said that the prime duty of Sri Lankan Defence Attachés assigned to Sri Lanka Missions overseas is to serve the country and its people and that they should be mindful of the fact that they are 'there to serve and not to be served'.

Foreign Minister Marapana made these remarks attending as the chief guest of the certificate awarding ceremony of the Intensive Training Programme for military officers who would be assigned as Defence Attachés/ Advisors in Sri Lanka Missions overseas, organized by the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), the training arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The certificate awarding ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (08 March). The participating military officers received their certificates from Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana upon successful completion of the training programme.

The Intensive Training Programme, which was conducted at the BIDTI from 18 February to 07 March 2019, was attended by thirty (30) officers from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Air Force and the Sri Lanka Navy, who would be assigned as Defence Attachés/ Advisors in Sri Lanka Missions overseas in the near future.

This was the first time that the BIDTI conducted a Training Programme for prospective Defence Attachés/ Advisors of Sri Lanka.