Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Government and people of Sri Lanka are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of many lives caused by the sudden crash of Fly Dubai flight FZ981 in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on 19th March. 

The Government conveys heartfelt and profound condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of victims who grieve over this terrible tragedy, and those injured. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

23rd March 2016

Statement by

Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.

Thirty- Seven Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers

17^th March, 2016, Pokhara, Nepal

Read more: Statement of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the 37th Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers

The EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica arrived in Sri Lanka today, 15^th March 2016, to re-affirm EU support for the Government of Sri Lanka, review ongoing development programmes and to discuss ways and means of  further enhancing  Sri Lanka – EU bilateral cooperation.  This is the first visit of the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development to Sri Lanka and is the first visit by a high-level EU representative since the current Government assumed office. 

Read more: EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Visits Sri Lanka

The Inter-Summit Session of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will be held in Pokhara, Nepal from 14-17 March 2016. The meeting will provide an opportunity for member states to assess the progress of decisions that had been taken in various SAARC forums, including decisions of the 18^th SAARC Summit held in November 2014 in Kathmandu, and identify priority issues to be taken forward in SAARC related activities and programmes.

Read more: SAARC Inter-Summit Session to be held in Pokhara, Nepal: 14-17 March 2016

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, on an official visit to the Republic of Korea, expressed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations for mutual benefit, on Friday 11 March in Seoul.  Minister Samaraweera’s sentiments were reciprocated by Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.  The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Foreign Employment Thalatha Atukorale, demonstrating the importance attached to labour relations with Korea by the Sri Lankan Government.  This was the first official visit to Korea by a Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka since the inauguration of the Government in 2015.  

Read more: Foreign Minister Samaraweera Commits to Further Strengthen Sri Lanka – Korea Relations for Mutual Benefit

The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand hosted the 14^th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting under the theme “ACD – the way forward” on 9^th - 10^th March 2016 in Bangkok, which was preceded by a Senior Officials’ Meeting.

Read more: 14th ACD Ministerial Meeting concludes

The Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister for Global Affairs Susan Gregson, and the Director General, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs Priyantha Rathnayake recently signed a memorandum in favor of a Canadian Volunteer Cooperation Program in Sri Lanka.

Read more: Canada and Sri Lanka signed memorandum on UNITERRA