Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held official talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington DC on Thursday 12 February 2015.

Remarks by

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera before their meeting. 

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

February 12, 2015 

SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s my great pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Samaraweera from Sri Lanka. And this is an exciting moment for all of us here because Sri Lanka on January 8th had an historic election in which there has been really a vote for change, a vote to move Sri Lanka in a new direction, to open up greater accountability and possibility for the preservation of human rights, for democracy, for fighting corruption and putting together a government that will speak for and to the people. And we’re particularly excited about the 100-day plan that the new government has put forward. We wish them well in the days ahead, and we’re going to talk today about President Sirisena’s thoughts about how to move Sri Lanka away from 30 years of war with the Tamils to a country that is inclusive and prosperous and peaceful.

Read more: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera meets US Secretary of State John Kerry

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera delivered an address on the theme “Sri Lanka after the Presidential Election,” outlining the priorities of the government at the prestigious Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in Washington DC on 11th February 2015 to a full house.

Full Statement

Read more: Foreign Minister Samaraweera speaks at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington

The Special Envoy of the Government of China, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Liu Jianchao undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka from 5 to 7 February 2015.  During the visit, the Chinese Special Envoy paid calls on President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The visiting dignitary held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs andalso met Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. The discussions focused on issues of mutual interest covering bilateral political, economic, development cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

Read more: Special Envoy of Chinese Government visits Sri Lanka

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa celebrated the 67^th Anniversary of the Independence on 04^th February 2015 at the High Commissioner's residence with the participation of around 150 members of the Sri Lankan community living in Ottawa and Montreal. 

Read more: National Day Celebration in Ottawa, Canada

I. Acknowledging    a  recommendation    made   by  the  Lessons  Learnt  and  Reconciliation Commission that the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka requires a full acknowledgement of the  tragedy  of the  conflict  and  a collective  act  of contrition,  the Government  of Sri Lanka, at the official national  ceremony  held yesterday,  4 February, to mark the 67th Independence  Day, made a "Declaration of Peace".

Read more: Declaration of Peace by the Government of Sri Lanka

Ven. Members of the Maha Sangha,

Reverend Clergy of other faiths,

Hon. Prime Minister,

Hon. Speaker,

Hon. Ministers and Members of Parliament,

Hon. Governors,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

My Dear Friends,

As we celebrate this 67th anniversary of the dawn of Independence, after nearly two centuries as a nation subject to colonial rule, it is most fortunate that I am able to address you at this historic city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, today. 

This occasion is of special significance because we commemorate the dawn of freedom at a time coincident with the taking of clear and resolute steps to firmly establish democracy and good governance, the Rule of Law, and a truly meaningful parliamentary system; to establish a long lasting and stable structure of good governance in keeping with the mandate given by the people at the recent presidential election. 

Read more: Address by President Maithripala Sirisena of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the 67th Anniversary of Independence at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte on February 04, 2015

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held official talks with visiting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia of the USA, Ms. Nisha Biswal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Assistant Secretary Biswal reviewed a range of bilateral issues.  She conveyed the US Government’s desire to work closely with the newly elected government of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Read more: US Assistant Secretary of State Biswal meets Foreign Minister Samaraweera