Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka held a meeting today, 12 February, with the participation of representatives of relevant line Ministries and Agencies to discuss the ICRC report titled: ‘Needs of the Families of Missing Persons in Sri Lanka: Living with Uncertainty’. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harsha de Silva, and held at the Ministry premises.  

Read more: Initial consultations on the ICRC Report titled: “Needs of the Families of Missing Persons in Sri Lanka: Living with Uncertainty”, held at the Foreign Ministry

The Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka condemns the launch of a long range missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 07^th February 2016. 

Sri Lanka calls upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abide by its international obligations and desist from any action that would adversely impact on the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo 

Today we all join together to celebrate the 68th anniversary of Independence Day with pomp and glory. Since we got independence from the British Colonial rulers, we have been marking this momentous day of Independence every year and this is the 68th occasion.

Read Full speech in English (PDF), Sinhala (PDF), Tamil (PDF)

Sri Lanka’s 68^th Independence Day Celebrations was held at the Official Residence of the High Commissioner in Ottawa on 4^th February 2016. It was attended by a large number of Sri Lankan Canadians representing all communities.  Religious discourses on the theme of national unity were delivered by the Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic and Islamic clergy. 

Read more: 68th Independence Day Celebrations in Ottawa

Accepting an invitation extended by the Government in February 2015, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein will undertake a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka. 

The High Commissioner will arrive in Sri Lanka on the morning of Saturday 6 February and depart on the morning of 10 February. 

Read more: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Sri Lanka

The Minister of External Affairs of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 5-6 February 2016 for the Ninth Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission. The Joint Commission, co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Minister of External Affairs of India will be held on 5 February 2016 in Colombo. 

Read more: Minister of External Affairs of India to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack at the Bacha Khan University in Northwest Pakistan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this deplorable terrorist attack. 

Sri Lanka condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and wishes to reiterate support towards all efforts to combat this scourge. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo