News

Alleged incident relating to Swiss Embassy staff member

The Government of Sri Lanka has taken serious note of the alleged criminal incident concerning a locally recruited staff member of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo, on Monday 25 November 2019.

On being informed of the alleged incident yesterday, the Police has taken immediate action to commence an investigation into the matter.

In order to enable the relevant authorities to conduct the investigation smoothly and according to established procedure, the fullest cooperation of the Embassy of Switzerland has been requested.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany who is concurrently accredited to Switzerland, Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi will be meeting with the Swiss authorities to provide an update on the investigation, shortly.

The Government of Sri Lanka takes this opportunity to reaffirm unequivocally its commitment to give effect to the obligations undertaken as a State Party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), to facilitate the smooth functioning of diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

28 November 2019

Ceylon Tea promoted at the Diversity Champion Awards in New Brunswick

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Promotion of Ceylon Tea was organized by the Office of the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in New Brunswick at the Diversity Champion Awards ceremony held on 22 November 2019 at the Hilton Trade & Convention Centre in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

The participation of the Honorary Consul’s office, under the guidance of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canada was an initiative by Dr Sameera Jayasena, Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in New Brunswick. The promotional event showcased a variety of Ceylon teas to a large gathering.

At this event, Sri Lankan tea products and Ceylon tea hampers were auctioned at a silent auction. Various varieties of Ceylon Tea were introduced and promoted by the staff of the Office of the Honorary Consul which were warmly welcomed and received at the event. The promotion of Ceylon tea was made possible with the support of the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardena calls on Foreign Ministry Officials to rise to new challenges

Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry on Monday 25 November 2019.

Minister Gunawardena was received by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and other senior officials upon his arrival at the Ministry. Following religious observances, the Minister officially assumed duties.

Later, the Foreign Minister who addressed the staff, remarked that the Foreign Service is highly regarded. The Minister stressed that the entire country is looking towards the Foreign Ministry to find solutions for external pressures and challenges. Hence, it is necessary for the officers in the Ministry and the network of missions to work dedicatedly towards overcoming these challenges. He also stated that President Rajapaksa's vision is for Sri Lanka to be safe and secure; leading the country towards a prosperous future. He further stated that in achieving these objectives, a single agency cannot work alone, but must work in unison with other institutions, and hence the role of the Foreign Ministry is vital in this aspect.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa joins International Food Fair organized by Global Affairs Canada

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The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa together with other diplomatic missions based in Ottawa joined the International Food Fair organized by Global Affairs Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) on 13^th November 2019 at the Global Affairs Canada.

The High Commission served classic Sri Lankan Short Eats along with complementary tea samples from the Sri Lanka Tea Board. The food fair attracted hundreds of officials of Global Affairs Canada who bought tickets and queued up to taste specialty foods showcased by each diplomatic mission representing items of their cuisine.

Sri Lanka promotes tourism at the International Tourism and Travel Show in Montreal

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa participated at the International Tourism and Travel Show which took place at the Place Bonaventure in Montreal from 25^th to 27^th October 2019. This is the 4^th consecutive year Sri Lanka has participated at this show.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Canada, Asoka Girihagama inaugurated the Sri Lanka Pavilion which carried Sri Lanka tourism’s new branding identity “So Sri Lanka” along with visuals showcased tourist attractions which illustrates the rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and beaches of Sri Lanka. Mr. Viranga Bandara, Assistant Director of Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau and several travel industry representatives also participated at this event.

The event attracted 36,250 prospective travellers who were planning their travel to new destinations and seeking expert advice on future holiday destinations. More than one hundred countries were represented at this event through their tourism offices, tour operators and travel agents.

According to the Annual Statistical Report of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 52,681Canadian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2018, which is a 12% increase in the tourists’ arrivals from Canada to Sri Lanka compared to 2017. It is anticipated that Sri Lanka’s participation at this year’s show would further enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism potential in the Canadian market.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Canada

01^st November 2019

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Canada hosts Asia Pacific Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners for Luncheon

2019-10-30

Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing nineteen countries of the Asia Pacific region in Canada gathered at the residence of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Canada, Asoka Girihgama for the monthly luncheon of the group on 28^th October 2019.

The October luncheon which was hosted by the High Commissioner Girihagama was attended by the Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. As a part of the luncheon, Professor Elliot Tepper from Carlton University delivered an informative speech on the “challenges of the new Canadian Government: Internal and International” was followed by Q & A session. The luncheon which featured traditional Sri Lankan dishes served as an excellent opportunity for the Ambassadors and High Commissioners to discuss topics of relevance such as education, partnerships, economic and political issues.

The Asia Pacific Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners luncheon is a monthly event that provides opportunities for Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing Asia Pacific region in Canada to network, share knowledge and collaborate on a regular basis. The October luncheon was the first luncheon of the group hosted in the year 2019 following the winter and summer breaks.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

30^th October 2018

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Canada, Asoka Girihagama visits Sri Lanka pavilion at Grocery Innovations Canada 2019

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Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Canada, Asoka Girihagama visited the Sri Lanka Pavilion and met with the Sri Lankan delegation consisting representatives from ten Sri Lankan companies who were on a promotional Mission to Canada at the Grocery Innovations Canada Exhibition which took place at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto on 22^nd of October 2019.

Grocery Innovations Canada is the only show in Canada which comprehensively connects grocery professionals and retailers. The show was an excellent opportunity for Sri Lankan companies to build relationships with the Canadian grocery sector as it brings together all facets of the grocery trade together under one roof.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Toronto and Mr. Peter Murphy, Canadian Marketing Consultant had organized this promotional mission to Canada coinciding with the Grocery Innovations Canada exhibition in Toronto. The Sri Lankan delegation comprised of representatives from Sri Lanka Export Development Board, GP International Inc., Hero Nature Products (Pvt) Ltd, Ecoma Organics Ltd, Bio Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Samanala Natural Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Food & Nature (Pvt) Ltd, Jayalanka Suppliers, Sayaladu Coco Products (Pvt) Ltd, Waguruwela Oil Mills (Pvt) Ltd and Kandrick Tea Beverages Lanka. The Promotional Mission included a market orientation programme with a retail market visit, awareness sessions for Sri Lankan delegation and Sri Lanka product display pavilion themed “Island of Ingenuity” at the Grocery Innovations Canada Exhibition from 22^nd to 23^rd October 2019.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

24^th October 2019

High Commissioner Girihgama Hosts Annual Katina Ceremony at Ottawa Buddhist Vihara

The Annual Katina Ceremony of the Ottawa Buddhist Vihara was held on 19^th of October 2019 at the Foster Farm Community Centre in Ottawa. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner for Canada, Asoka Girihagama, Sudharma Girihagama and family was the main sponsor of the event.

The ceremony commenced with katina robe procession and religious observances followed by dana to the monks. High Commissioner Girihagama together with the staff of the High Commission and the Buddhist community in Ottawa offered Dana (almsgiving) to 20 Buddhist monks who attended ceremony representing many Buddhist temples across Canada and Sri Lanka. Then, High Commissioner Girihagama offered katina-robe to monks followed by the Punya anumodana speech by chief incumbent monk of Ottawa Buddhist Vihara, Venerable Walassmulle Sirisumana thero. The ceremony concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by the High Commissioner Girihagama.

Sri Lanka having paid its dues, calls on the UN to utilize resources in an effective, impartial and transparent manner

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Asserting that despite many domestic priorities Sri Lanka has discharged its obligations in paying its assessments to date, the Sri Lanka delegation to the UNGA this week called on the United Nations Secretariat to utilize the available resources received from the Member States in a more effective, impartial and transparent manner, at a time when the Organization is battling its worst financial crisis leading to the implantation of austerity measures and limited operations.

Sri Lanka’s delegate, Deputy High Commissioner in Canada Ms. Sithara Khan made this observation at the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on improving the financial situation of the United Nations on 18 October 2019, in the presence of the President of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

The delegate appreciated the Secretary General’s assurance to meet obligations to Member States providing troops and equipment to UN Peace Keeping Operations as promptly as possible based on the availability of funds. Sri Lanka also urged the Secretariat to fulfill its financial obligations with regards to the peace keepers identified to be replaced, at the point of repatriation and added that it was important for the UN Secretariat to ensure a predictive system of payment on all dues concerning peacekeeping operations.

Recalling that Sri Lanka had been a regular contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Operations budget since 1960, Ms. Khan also expressed concern regards the practices adopted by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) recently in relation to Sri Lanka, which was in violation of a MoU with a sovereign country, while challenging the decision of a Head of State. The delegate observed that the Secretariat had failed to formally reply the written communications addressed on the relevant aspects of the matter for over a month and added that it was important to have formal communications in order to avert confusion and misunderstanding on information provided verbally. She also called on the UN Secretariat to ensure that such a misplaced process should not be allowed to be systematized, in order to avoid politicization of the decision making process and for professional ethics of the organization to be secured.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

New York

18 October 2019