Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Text in Sinhala (PDF) Text in Tamil (PDF)

1. At the invitation of His Excellency Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China from 6th to 9th April, 2016.

Read more: Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Dr. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs undertook a visit on an invitation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan from 20^th – 26^th March 2016. 

Read more: Dr. Harsha De Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Undertakes a Visit to Japan from 20th to 26th March 2016

Actg. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva, received today Members of German-South -Asia Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were on an official  tour from 6-9 April 2016 in Sri Lanka.  The delegation comprised of parliamentarians representing the Social Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic Union. 

Read more: Acting Foreign Minister meets Members of German-South Asia Parliamentary Friendship Group

Address of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, MP

at the Australian Institute for International Affairs Roundtable 

Victoria, 4^th April 2016 

On January 8^th last year, in a historic election, the people of Sri Lanka cast their votes for democracy, reconciliation and development.  They chose free and fair elections, good governance and the rule of law over authoritarianism and impunity; they chose stability, reconciliation and peace over the politics of fear and hate. And they eschewed isolationist crony capitalism for openness to the world and a competitive, transparent rules-based economy. Basically, the people of Sri Lanka were weary of politics and governance that just wasn’t cricket. They wanted the new Sri Lanka with an undoctored pitch, an untampered ball and genuine umpires. 

Read more: Address of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, MP at the Australian Institute for International Affairs Roundtable

Address by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera

at Lunch Meeting with Business Leaders and Parliamentarians

Melbourne, 4 April 2016

On the eight of January last year, in a historic election the Sri Lankan people voted for democracy, reconciliation and development, the three pillars on which the government is taking the country forward today. They chose robust democratic institutions over kleptocracy and authoritarianism, they chose healing and unity over hate and division and they chose a development strategy based on free competition and a level playing field over a system of crony capitalism.

Read more: Address of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at Meeting with Australian Business Leaders and Parliamentarians

Sri Lanka condemns the terrorist attack in Lahore on Easter Sunday 

The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist attack targeting innocent civilians on 27^th March 2016 in Lahore. 

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka wish to express our deep condolences to the families of the victims and our thoughts and prayers for the speedy recovery to those injured by the attack. 

Sri Lanka stands in support and solidarity with the Government and the people of Pakistan in their steadfast commitment to eradicate terrorism. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo. 

28^th March 2016