Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The National Unity Government, headed by President Maithripala Sirisena reaffirm commitment, in accordance with the mandates received from the people at the Presidential elections in January and Parliamentary elections of August 2015, to ensure that our nation never again returns to a conflict-ridden past, and instead resolve to guide our nation towards reconciliation, sustainable peace, and economic progress. Communal, ethnic and religious hatred and violence, and impunity have no place in the society that we strive to build. 

Read more: Statement by the Cabinet of Ministers against Violence and Hate Speech

Press Release

The process for developing the National Reconciliation Policy was initiated in September 2015 by the Office for National Unity & Reconciliation (ONUR) chaired by Former President Her Excellency Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

After a one-year comprehensive consultation process with multiple stakeholders including Government officials, ministries, departments, members of provincial councils, civil society, academia, and experts and grass-roots activists, the National Reconciliation Policy was submitted by His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena in September 2016 to Cabinet of Ministers for discussion. In his accompanying note to the Cabinet, His Excellency stated that the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) had drafted the National Policy in a “manner that reflects that reconciliation is a whole-of-government effort and a multi-stakeholder endeavour.” 

Read more: Government Approves Historic National Policy on Reconciliation and Coexistence

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

(Procurement of Goods)

SPECIAL TASK FORCE

(SRI LANKA POLICE)

MINISTRY OF LAW & ORDER AND SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT

The Chairman, Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee of the Ministry of Law & Order and Southern Development on behalf of the Secretary / Ministry of Law & Order and Southern Development, 14th Floor, Suhurupaya, Sri Subhuthipura Mawatha, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the following procurements for Special Task Force of Sri Lanka Police.

Read more: INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake undertook an official visit to New Delhi India from 6^th – 7^th June 2017. During this visit he met the Indian Prime Minister Naredra Modi and the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He also had separate meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. 

Read more: Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s first visit to India

Address By His Excellency the Prime Minister

of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe

to the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for Sustainable Development

United Nations, New York - 5^th June 2017 

Madame President - Mr. Secretary General

Allow me to express my appreciation to those who have been responsible for organizing this conference – notably Mr. Peter Thomson - President of the General Assembly, the Governments of Fiji and Sweden - co-hosts of the Conference, the Permanent Representatives of Portugal and Singapore - facilitators of preparatory meetings and to the Secretary General of the Conference.

Read more: Address by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake on his first visit overseas as Minister of Foreign Affairs, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held discussions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday, 6 June 2017. He will have discussions today with Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and others before returning to Colombo tonight. 

Read more: Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake visits India

On the direction of H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena and Hon. Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Hon. Minister Karunanayake directed the Foreign Ministry to respond to the emergency needs of the flood victims in coordination with the Ministry of Disaster Management.  The Ministry Emergency Response Unit, activated on 26^th May 2017, to coordinate international Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief measures, launched an appeal to the INSARG (International Search and Rescue Group) through the UN. The Foreign Ministry also appealed to countries in the region to obtain the services of Emergency Rescue Teams.

Read more: Foreign Minister Karunanayake briefs Diplomatic Corps