News

Sri Lanka counters C4: ‘Lies Agreed Upon’

A report compiled by the Ministry of Defence titled "Humanitarian Operation - Factual Analysis : July 2006 - May 2009" was released at an official function held at the Hilton Hotel on 2nd of August . Following the release of the report, a video documentary titled " Lies Agreed Upon" was screened depicting the LTTE's brutal acts of terror as well as footages of the humanitarian operation and interviews given by LTTE cadres, Tamil civilians, Government officials served in the conflict areas etc. which aimed at refuting Channel 4 allegations against the Government.

Full Text of Report "Humanitarian Operation: Factual Analysis"

High Commissioner meets Mayor of Montreal

mayor

High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara paid a Courtesy Call on His Worship Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal on June 16, 2011.High Commissioner Wagiswara briefed the Mayor on the post conflict developments being initiated in Sri Lanka to develop the areas devastated by the conflict. the discussion also centered on the promotion of economic & trade links and ways and means of attracting Canadian Tourists. The meeting was also attended by Montreal Excutive Commitee Member Ms. Mary Deros, Sri Lanka's Honorary Consul in Montreal Mr. Alain Bonneau and Mr. Sumith Dassanayake, Minister Counsellor of the High Commission.

Travel restrictions lifted for Foreign Passport holders visiting North

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has lifted travel restrictions hitherto imposed on foreign passport holders, including diplomats, NGOs and INGOs visiting North. For further details please refer websites of the Defence Ministry www.defence.lk and Department of Information www.news.lk

Sri Lanka Film Festival in Ottawa

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa together with the Canadian Film Institute launched the Sri Lanka Film Festival on 15^th June at the Auditorium of the Canadian National Archives.

Mrs. Sumitra Peries's film Sakman Maluwa (The Garden ) was screened as the opening film of the festival. The audience included Special invitees representing the members of the Diplomatic Corps, Canadian officials and important personalities from the Arts Circles and the expatriate Sri Lankan community.

Launching the Film Festival, High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara spoke of the remarkable developments in the Sri Lankan film industry since independence and spoke of the facilities provided to the Film Industry, including the Ranminitenna, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Tele-Cinema Park.

She also spoke of Sri Lanka as an attractive location to shoot films. In this context she cited the "Bridge on the River Kwai" and the most recent films "Water" and the current filming on the book based on Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children", both by Canada's own Deepa Mehta.

Sri Lanka Film Festival in Ottawa, Canada – June 2011

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Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Celebration in Ottawa, Canada

vesak

The 2600^th Anniversary of Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi was celebrated by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, together with the Sri Lankan expatriate community at the official residence of the High Commissioner.

To mark the event, the High Commissioner and the staff organized a “Pirith Chanting Ceremony” followed by an ‘alms giving’ to the Buddhist priests of the three Sri Lankan temples in Ottawa on 16^th May and 17^th May 2011. Dhamma sermons were conducted by Venerable Panditha Brahmanagama Muditha Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Buddhist Congress of Canada (Hilda Jayewardenaramaya), Venerable Kekanadure Hemalankara Thero of the Theravada Buddhist Centre and Venerable Dr. Walasmulle Siri Sumana Thero, Chief Incumbent of Ottawa Buddhist Vihara.

A special feature at the Pirith Chanting Ceremony was the participation of two Sri Lankan Catholic priests, Reverend Father Freely Muthukudaarachchi and Reverend Father Romesh Lowe. In a brief address Reverend Father Muthukudaarachchi spoke of the importance of the message of Vesak which is applicable to all communities and religions.

New Year Message : Renewal in spirit and expectations - President

We celebrate this New Year at a time when production is progressing rapidly in agriculture and all other areas of development. It is also a time when all enjoy the freedom achieved in our motherland, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

We celebrate this New Year at a time when production is progressing rapidly in agriculture and all other areas of development. It is also a time when all enjoy the freedom achieved in our motherland, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

"Therefore, this New Year will help bring a renewal in spirit and new expectations to the people about future progress," said the President.

Here is the full text of the message :

From ancient days the great cultural festival of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has brought satisfaction and joy to the vast majority of our people. It is a festival that pays homage to the Sun for the strength given to the land and people and is also the annual harvest festival that echoes the achievements of the rural people.

We celebrate this New Year at a time when production is progressing rapidly in agriculture and all other areas of development. It is also a time when all enjoy the freedom achieved in our motherland. Therefore, this New Year will help bring a renewal in spirit and new expectations to the people about future progress.

The New Year traditions coming down through centuries add to the joy of celebration. We can give this joy to future generations by making our children aware of its importance in our way of life.

We must create every opportunity for our children who cherish the New Year festivities to join in observing the many rituals and traditions that are associated with it. Therefore, to ensure the safety and joy of our children in celebrating this event, I appeal to you all to keep away from all intoxicants during this festive season. I trust this will contribute to bringing its joy closer the children and women of our country.

I extend my deep gratitude to the members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defence Corps, as well as all employees of the State and Private Sector who have made a commitment to be at their posts during the festive season.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year !

Mobile Consular Service in Montreal

After a gap of nearly six years, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canada held a Mobile Consular Service in Montreal for the convenience of the expatriate Sri Lankan community living in and around Montreal on Sunday 20^th March 2011.

The Mobile Service was conducted as a part of the outreach programme of the High Commission in Canada.

A considerable number of Sri Lankans benefited by the Mobile Service and the activities of the day included, the renewal of passports, processing applications for new passports, Police Clearance Certificates, Registration of Births, issuance of visas, and certification of documents etc; The officials also addressed various matters pertaining to Sri Lankan pensioners living in Montreal and provided information on many other services available in Sri Lanka which could be availed of by the Sri Lankans living in Canada.

Many of those who visited the Mobile Consular Service appreciated the services rendered by the High Commission and suggested that periodic Mobile Services would benefit a large number of Sri Lankans living in Montreal.

The Mobile Consular Service was conducted at the Office of the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Montreal.

High Commission of Sri Lanka

Ottawa, Canada

21^st March 2011

President expresses sympathy on Japan's earthquake and tsunami

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a message to Emperor of Japan, Akihito expressed sympathy on the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan today (11) and stated, ‘we pray for solace for those affected by the disaster and for the rapid recovery of the Japanese people and nation’.

Japan is a very close and dear friend of Sri Lanka. At this moment of challenge, our thoughts are with Your Majesty and your people, he said.

Following is the full text of the message :

Along with the rest of the globe, the people of Sri Lanka and I have been watching with sorrow and anguish the destruction brought about in Japan by the earthquake followed by a tsunami.

We are aware that due to their nation being located in an area of the world especially vulnerable to this kind of natural phenomenon, the Japanese authorities have taken the maximum measures to prepare for and mitigate the consequences of such a disaster. We also know that the Japanese people possess incredible resilience and courage, which has enabled them to overcome always the greatest of destruction and continue on the path of national progress.

Japan is a very close and dear friend of Sri Lanka. At this moment of challenge, our thoughts are with Your Majesty and your people. We pray for solace for those affected by the disaster and for the rapid recovery of the Japanese people and nation.

Please accept, Your Majesty, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Policy Research and Information Unit (PRIU)
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 01