Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

On the instructions of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York successfully negotiated a Resolution which was adopted by consensus on 29^th December 2014, whereby the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged the significance of the Day of Vesak observed in many member countries. It invited the United Nations bodies at Headquarters and other duty stations where observed, to avoid holding meetings on that Day. To this end, the Resolution also encourages this arrangement to be taken into account when formulating future calendars of conferences and meetings. 

Read more: UN to avoid holding meetings on the Day of Vesak

I am pleased to send this message on this National Safety Day commemoration. 

Our country had to suffer much due to natural disasters in recent years. In every such incident the government's ability to minimize the disruption of people's lives is a great achievement. 

As a political leader who witnessed the tsunami tragedy and from that instance was engaged in rehabilitation efforts, I am aware of the magnitude of the tsunami disaster and the complexity of the restoration efforts. Our aim was to restore all, other than human lives sadly lost in the tragedy. Therefore, the ability to build new houses for the affected people and resettling them, restoring infrastructure and livelihoods as well as enhancing the welfare, economy and the living standards of children, women and youth is a significant achievement reached by us during the past ten years. 

Read more: Message from HE the President for the National Safety Day

Sri Lanka welcomes the announcements made by the leaders of the United States of America and Cuba, of a rapprochement between the two countries, thereby ending decades’ long estrangement and paving the way for the renewal of diplomatic ties. The release and exchange of prisoners is a concrete step towards a new era of US-Cuba relations which marks a turning point in the history of the two nations.

Read more: Statement on US-Cuba rapprochement

Thirty(30) Sri Lankan fishermen released by the Tamil Nadu State authorities were repatriated to Sri Lanka today(23 December) enabling  reunion with their families in time to celebrate Christmas. The Sri Lanka fishermen boarded SLNS Ranagaja at the International Maritime Boundary Line(IMBL) and arrive at the Kankasanturai harbour this evening.

Read more: Thirty Sri Lankan fishermen released from Tamil Nadu to reunite with families for Christmas

We are pleased to provide herewith trade information with regard to export, import and joint venture from the members of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Click here for the details....

Yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus, a resolution, spearheaded by Sri Lanka, declaring 15^th July as the World Youth Skills Day. Sri Lanka initiated this resolution, with the assistance of the G77 & China, to highlight at a global level, the importance of youth skills development. The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth, including as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment. This is the only resolution promoted by Sri Lanka at the UN in New York since 1999. 

Read more: Sri Lanka’s proposal to establish a “World Youth Skills Day” adopted by the UN

The Government of Sri Lanka notes with satisfaction the several media reports on a communication to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O. Panneerselvam informing of the decision to release on 22^nd December 2014, thirty (30) Sri Lankan fishermen and nineteen (19) boats currently in the State’s custody. 

Read more: Media Statement relating to Fishermen