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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT AT THE VIRTUAL ‘HIGH – LEVEL EVENT ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE ERA OF COVID – 19 AND BEYOND’ ORGANIZED BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF CANADA, JAMAICA AND THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL

NEW INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA

2020-05-26

The newly accredited Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena at the Republic Building today. On his first working day as the High Commissioner after presenting Credentials on 14 May 2020, High Commissioner Baglay exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral issues with the Foreign Relations Minister during his call.

Minister Gunawardena, welcoming the new High Commissioner, assured Sri Lanka’s fullest commitment for stronger and deeper cooperation with India, while appreciating the continued exchanges of goodwill that are evident in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. High Commissioner Baglay conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances of closer cooperation with Sri Lanka through his neighbourhood first policy.

Both dignitaries agreed to work towards mutually beneficial trade, investment,development and political relations in the post COVID-19 new international environment by enhancing maritime cooperation, security exchanges, ensuring food and health security, enhanced assistance for capacity building and technical cooperation. It was agreed to kick start tourism exchanges based on the ancient foundation of Hindu-Buddhist cultural affinities between the two countries. Also both sides agreed to follow up on the pending Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other bilateral instruments.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and senior officials of the Foreign Relations Ministry were also present during the call.

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

26 May 2020

FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA DISCUSSES SYSTEMATIC REPATRIATION PROCESS

Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations in an interview held on Siyatha TV ‘Morning Show’ at 6.55 am today (25 May 2020) discussed the systematic repatriation process of Overseas Sri Lankans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full interview at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MvhELfE98F4

SPECIAL DISCUSSION ON REPATRIATION HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

Special discussion chaired by Hon. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Information and Mass Media, Higher Education, Technology and Innovation and Co- Cabinet Spokesperson was held today (24 May) at the Department of Government Information. Officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment(SLBFE) and the Ministry of Foreign Relations participated at the discussion.

Full recording of the discussion is at: https://www.facebook.com/newslk/videos/623627001844398/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

MESSAGE OF H.E.THE PRESIDENT ON THE OCCASION OF RAMAZAN

PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AT NATIONAL RANAVIRU DAY COMMEMORATION

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, “I will not allow any room for attempts to discredit and destroy the dignity of our war heroes who made countless sacrifices to bring peace to entire Sri Lanka.

…..If any international body or organization continuously target our country and our war heroes, using baseless allegations, I will also not hesitate to withdraw Sri Lanka from such bodies or organizations”

President Rajapaksa made this comment today (19 May) during his speech at the Ranaviru Day commemoration.

The full text of the speech is below:

Reverend Maha Sanga representing Maha Nayaka Theros and Anu Nayaka Theros of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, Amarapura and Ramannya Nikayas,

His Eminence Cardinal,

Hindu Kurukkal leader, Islam Mowlawi,

Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, former President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda,
Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunatilleke, Governor of the Western Province
Secretary to the President,
Secretary Defence,
Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force,
Acting Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of Civil Defence,
Distinguished guests,
War heroes of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence,
Dear parents, wives, sons and daughters of war heroes,

May 19th is a very important milestone in the history of Sri Lanka.

RANAVIRU DAY MESSAGE OF H.E THE PRIME MINISTER

RANAVIRU DAY MESSAGE OF H.E THE PRESIDENT

NOTICE TO SRI LANKANS IN CANADA WHO WISH TO RETURN TO SRI LANKA DUE TO COVID-19

NOTICE_TO_SRI_LANKANS_IN_CANADA_WHO_WISH_TO_RETURNTO_SRI_LANKA__DUE_TO_COVID-191