Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Sri Lanka’s envoy to Canada, Asoka Girihagama presented his Credentials as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Governor General Julie Payette of Canada at a ceremony held at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa on 13^th November 2018. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canada and Diplomats attended the ceremony which was held to mark the presentation of credential by five envoys representing Mongolia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, The Gambia and Uzbekistan.

Addressing the five new envoys to Canada, the Governor General, in her welcome address, spoke briefly on the bilateral ties shared between each of the five countries and Canada. Referring to Sri Lanka, the Governor General noted the long standing relations between Sri Lanka and Canada and outlined issues of mutual interest.

At an audience following the presentation of credentials, the new High Commissioner among other matters, briefed the Governor General on recent developments in Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Girihagama stated that he was keen to improve trade and investment relations between Sri Lanka and Canada and encourage Canadian investments in Sri Lanka. He also stated that as a country with numerous sites and tourist attractions, Sri Lanka had immense potential to offer many diverse options to potential tourists from Canada.

High Commissioner Girihagama is a senior Diplomat counting over 26 years in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service. He has served in Embassies/High Commissions of Sri Lanka in Hungary, Austria, New Delhi, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Prior to his appointment as High Commissioner to Canada, he served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman and as Senior Director General, South Asia and SAARC.

 He is married with one daughter.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

14^th November 2018

The newly appointed High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada, Mr. Asoka Girihagama assumed duties at the High Commission on 08^th November 2018. He was received upon arrival at the High Commission by the members of the staff.

Addressing the staff of the High Commission upon assumption of duties, High Commissioner –designate Mr. Girihagama outlined the importance of widening Sri Lanka’s trade relations with Canada and the promotion of Canadian investment in Sri Lanka. His assumption of duties was marked by a simple ceremony organized by the staff of the High Commission along with milk rice and other sweets being served in keeping with Sri Lankan tradition.

High Commissioner- designate Mr. Girihagama joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1992, and has served in Embassies/High Commissions of Sri Lanka in Hungary, Austria, New Delhi, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.  He also served as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman from 2011- 2014. Prior to his appointment as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada he served as the Director General of the South Asia and SAARC Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.

He holds a B. Sc. Degree and a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics and he is a past pupil of Anuradhapura Central College, Anuradhapura. High Commissioner- designate Mr. Girihagama is married and has one daughter.

High Commission of Sri Lanka, Ottawa

08^th November 2018

The report on the initial workshop to formulate the Terms of Reference for the Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security was presented to the IORA CSO. The IORA Ministers welcomed Sri Lanka’s efforts and progress made as the lead coordinator in the Maritime Safety and Security pillar and also the offer to host the first meeting of the Working Group in 2019.

The Ministerial Meeting was chaired by the Minister for International Relations & Cooperation of South Africa Lindiwe Sisulu.  In addition to the 21 Members States of IORA, the 7 Dialogue Partners comprising China, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America participated at the session.  

As the Ministerial meeting coincided with the centenary of the birth of the legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela, a special commemorative declaration was adopted by the IORA Ministers.

Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria Ms. Priyangani Hewarathna was part of the Sri Lanka delegation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

05 November 2018

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Foreign Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, said that there was no justification for the Travel Advisories issued by a few countries, since there have been no incidents of violence or disruption in the country following the recent events. The Tourism sector has not been subject to any inconvenience.

The Minister made these observations when he met with the leading inbound tour operators, Senior Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), representatives of the Sri Lankan Airlines and other leading foreign carriers to discuss the Travel Advisories issued recently. He said that the Government was fully committed to safeguarding and improving of the tourism industry.

Industry leaders   briefed the   Minister that in addition to regular flights,  TUI , one  of  the   world’s   leading  tour  operators, is  now scheduled to operate  03  Charter Flights to  Colombo  on   a weekly  basis  while  the TUI   Cruise Liner  is  also scheduled  to  use Sri Lanka as a Port of Call in   the  high  season. The  industry  leaders also  informed  that   Aeroflot has  announced     nonstop   direct  flights  from  Moscow  to   Colombo  from  28 October 2018  and  SWISS will  resume  its  direct  flights  Zurich – Colombo from 04 November 2018. Meanwhile   Lonely  Planet, one  of the   leading international travel  guide   publishers,  has   recently   named  Sri  Lanka  as   the world’s top  destination.   It was noted that presently there are around 4000 cricket fans from the UK in   Sri Lanka to follow the   English cricket team’s current tour. This was testimony to the peaceful environment prevailing in the country and tourists are enjoying uninterrupted access to tourist sites and facilities throughout the Island.

The Minister also informed that since the assumption of his present portfolio he has instructed all Heads of Sri Lanka Missions overseas to personally make representation to the authorities concerned in their countries of accreditation in order to remove the Travel Advisories, to be in keeping with the ground realities in Sri Lanka. They will also maintain  regular interaction with the leading Travel Agents/ Outbound Tour Operators  in their  respective capitals to brief them on the peaceful situation prevailing in the island with a view to promoting arrivals. The Minister said that he planned to make Tourism Promotion a main aspect of the Foreign Ministry’s work programme.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and Senior Officials of the Ministry were present at the meeting.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

02 November 2018

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Text In Tamil (PDF)