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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

LIMITED SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CONSULAR AFFAIRS DIVISION

In line with the recent guidelines issued by the health authorities due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry limits its operating hours from 7.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. daily.

The Consular Affairs Division will prioritize its services to those in urgent/genuine need during the coming weeks.

The consular services, except in the cases of deaths of Sri Lankans overseas and attestation of export documents and related certificates, are provided strictly by appointment only.

Please contact the Consular Affairs Division on Tel: 011 2335942, 011 2338836 and 011 2338812 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to make an appointment.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

04 May 2021

THE MESSAGE OF H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA, ON MAY DAY

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane attends Commonwealth Senior Officials meeting in London

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane led the Sri Lanka Delegation to the Commonwealth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and the Committee of the Whole (COW) held in London, United Kingdom from 03-06 September 2024.

The discussions at the meetings focused on the arrangements for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in October in Samoa and its outcome documents.

On the sidelines of the Commonwealth meetings, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane met the Permanent Under Secretary Sir Philip Barton of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom on 03 September 2024. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane and Permanent Under Secretary Barton discussed the ongoing implementation of the outcomes of the second meeting of the Sri Lanka – UK Strategic Dialogue convened in May 2024 in Colombo.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane apprised Permanent Under Secretary of Sri Lanka’s progress in stabilizing the economy and the work to achieve sustainable development for all segments of the people. The Foreign Secretary also welcomed the recent high-level visits from the UK, as well as the ongoing discussions related to the implementation of the Developing Country Trading Scheme (DCTS) in Sri Lanka which is an impetus to bilateral trade. Both sides welcomed the recent signature between the two countries of the MoU on Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP). The vibrant people-to-people ties emanating from the significant community of Sri Lankan heritage in the UK also featured in the discussions.

On 05 September 2024, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane met with The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Both sides reviewed the ongoing collaborations between Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth Secretariat in diverse areas such as education, combating climate change, mangrove conservation and assistance in strengthening financial oversight. Secretary General Scotland apprised the Foreign Secretary of the deployment of the Commonwealth Election Observer Group led by H.E. Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles to observe the forthcoming Presidential Election. The Secretary General also highlighted that for the first time, the upcoming Commonwealth Summit will be held in a Pacific Island Member State of the Commonwealth - Samoa - and would draw attention to climate change and related challenges.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane also met with The Rt Hon David Lammy, Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs at the Lancaster House on 04 September along with Heads of SOM delegations, and with Hon. Catherine West Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo – Pacific for the FCDO at a working dinner on 05 September.

On invitation extended by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane addressed a gathering at the London Buddhist Vihara on 06 September where she highlighted the important religious contacts between UK and Sri Lanka carried out through the work of the Vihara and the British Maha Bodhi Society of the UK.

The Foreign Secretary was accompanied to the meetings by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK Rohitha Bogollagama and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission of Sri Lanka to the UK.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

09 September 2024

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SRI LANKA PARTICIPATES IN A REGION-WIDE ACTIVITY TO CONSOLIDATE JOINT COVID-19 COOPERATION

2021-04-27

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a joint video conference on COVID-19 response involving his counterparts from China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan held today, 27 April 2021. The discussions focused on consolidating COVID-19 response cooperation and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery as well as poverty alleviation amidst the recent spike in COVID-19 infections.

During his remarks, Minister Gunawardena underlined the critical need for active cooperation in effectively responding to COVID-19. The Foreign Minister also outlined the importance of addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in a manner that helps countries to take forward national priorities in economic recovery and uplifting rural livelihoods.

Furthermore, Minister Gunawardena reiterated that taking appropriate measures to maintain a steady and equitable flow of critical medical equipment, medicine, and vaccines to nations in need, under the guidance of the UN and WHO was essential to contain the epidemic and avoid relapses.

The participants expressed the view that effective response should have at its core, a process to addressissues on supply of emergency needs during natural and other disasters, the use of technology and other tools and platforms for poverty alleviation in the rural economies.

The counterparts from countries that participated included State Councilor Wang Yi (China), Mirwais Nab (Afghanistan), A.K Abdul Memon (Bangladesh), Pradeep Kumar Gyawali (Nepal) and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Pakistan).

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

27 April 2021

Sri Lankan victims of human trafficking rescued from Myanmar safely repatriated to Sri Lanka

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with Sri Lankan Missions in Myanmar and Thailand successfully facilitated the repatriation of 20 Sri Lankans who had been victims of human trafficking to Myanmar. They arrived safely in Colombo on September 05, 2024.

Following the Ministry’s persistent efforts, these Sri Lankans were rescued and evacuated from Myanmar on August 14, 2024, with close collaboration and support from law enforcement authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand.

Officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bangkok met with the rescued Sri Lankans on August 15, 2024, in Mae Sot, a border city in Thailand near Myanmar, to ensure their safety and well-being during their stay in Thailand. The Thai government provided them with food, shelter, and other essentials until the repatriation formalities were completed. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported the repatriation by providing air tickets and transportation. Mr.Kanchana Bandara, Director of Consular Affairs Division, received the group of 20 Sri Lankans at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, on September 05, 2024.

The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry, in collaboration with Sri Lankan Missions in Yangon and Bangkok and other relevant stakeholders, coordinated the rescue and repatriation of the Sri Lankans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed that 35 Sri Lankans remain trapped in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar. The Ministry is persistently working with relevant authorities to ensure their early rescue and repatriation.

The Ministry strongly urges the public not to fall victim to human trafficking syndicates when seeking employment abroad. The Ministry advises Sri Lankans to strictly adhere to the government-approved procedures for securing foreign employment and avoid unauthorized channels.