Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The UN Human Rights Council convenes thrice every year in regular sessions – i.e. in February-March, June, and in September. The current 37th Session of the Council convened on 26 February 2018 and will conclude on 23 March[1]. 

Read more: Sri Lanka at the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Mrs. Chandrani Bandara, Minister for Women and Child Affairs, this week said that in Sri Lanka, women were the co architects of Sri Lanka’s post-independence welfare state, which ensured free education and health care for all its citizens.

Read more: Minister Bandara tells UN - “Women co-architects of Sri Lanka’s post-independence welfare state”

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as requested by the Human Rights Council in Resolution 34/1 of 23 March 2017, will present a written update to the Council on 21 March 2018 on the implementation of Resolution 30/1 of 1 October 2015 and reconciliation and human rights related issues in Sri Lanka.

Read more: Ministers Tilak Marapana, Sarath Amunugama and Faiszer Musthapha on Sri Lanka’s delegation to the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Media Release of 12 March 2018, issued by the Office of Missing  Persons (OMP),  with statement  of its Chairman  and Commissioners setting out their aims and what they seek to achieve pursuant to the objectives of the OMP.

Text is in English, Sinhala & Tamil (PDF).

We trust the attachment demonstrates the commitment of the Government to deal with the issue by restoring normalcy, while addressing in a comprehensive manner matters that would require follow-up, including those relating to the payment of compensation, non-occurrence etc.

12th March 2018

At the invitation of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake a State visit to Japan from 12 to 17 March 2018.

President Sirisena is scheduled to have an Imperial Audience with His Majesty, Emperor Akihito on 13 March, and on 14 March, he will meet Prime Minister Abe for summit talks. Following talks, the Japanese Premier will host the Sri Lankan President to a State dinner. The two leaders will discuss matters of mutual interest to deepen cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.

Read more: President Maithripala Sirisena to visit Japan and India

President’s Media Division

Special Announcement by President Maithripala Sirisena on March 06^th, 2018

(At President’s Office)

I decided the make this special address today, as a tense situation has occurred during the last few days owing to several very unfortunate incidents in several parts of the country, causing disharmony and tensions among ethnic groups.

From the past, our country has experienced internal as well as external struggles. However, ours is a country where Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and all other communities have lived with peace, unity and harmony together. If we look at the decade of 1940, we know how we Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim people worked together like brethren to free our country from the grip of colonial masters. It was unfortunate that peace and unity among ethnic groups deteriorated, leaving the country in a situation of protracted war that brought about many a crisis.

Read more: Special Announcement by President Maithripala Sirisena on March 06th, 2018