Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Media Release

Seventeen medical professionals of Sri Lankan origin who are members of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Norway, the United States, France, Bahrain and Germany worked in partnership with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, alongside local doctors in Kalutara district from 2^nd to 6^th July and in Matara district from 7^th July to 10th July, including in villages and flood relief camps. Within the 10 day period, approximately 780 patients were given medical, dental and ophthalmological treatment that included a children’s home and orphanage. 300 pairs of reading glasses and sunglasses were also gifted to people by the doctors.

Read more: The contribution of Medical Professionals from Overseas assisting the flood affected in Kalutara and Matara Districts felicitated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) are organizing the SAARC Investment Forum and Trade Fair 2017 in Colombo from 6th - 9th September 2017. 

Read more: SAARC Investment Forum and Trade Fair 2017, Colombo

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake visited Romania on 29 June - 2 July 2017 for the second session of the Sri Lanka-Romania bilateral political consultations. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further advance and consolidate its longstanding bilateral ties with Romania, when he met the Romanian Secretary of State for Bilateral Global Affairs Monica Gheorghita on 29 June 2017.  This was the first official visit undertaken by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs since assuming the new portfolio. 

Read more: State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake reaffirms commitment to advance and consolidate the Sri Lanka- Romania bilateral relationship

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a financing agreement at a value of USD 33.7 million that will help 57,500 rural households in Sri Lanka to increase their incomes and food security by expanding livelihood and business opportunities in agriculture. The signing ceremony was held on 26^th of June, 2017, at the IFAD’s Headquarters.

Read more: Sri Lanka signs Finance Agreement with IFAD in Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships (SAP)

The Third Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, co-chaired by the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries was held on 03^rd July 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. Md. Shahibul Haque, Secretary of the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and the Sri Lankan delegation was led by Esala Weerakoon, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka that included Yasoja Gunasekera,  High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh and officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Higher Education & Highways, Department of Commerce and Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Read more: Third Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Concludes

United Nations Secretary-General’s office announced today (20^th June) that Secretary General António Guterres has appointed Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka as his next Envoy on Youth. She will succeed Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan.

Read more: Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka appointed as UNSG’s Envoy on Youth

Responding to media queries, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ravi Karunanayake, expressed shock and grief at the tragic loss of life and injury as a result of the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London early today, 14 June. 

Read more: Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake extends condolences on the Fire at Grenfell Tower, London