Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Government of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the terrorist attack today at a school in Peshawar killing over 125 persons including 84 innocent children and injuring more than 100 others.  This dastardly attack reflects the brutality of the perpetrators particularly targeting  school children. The brazen and inhumane manner in which this heinous attack was carried out at a seat of learning is particularly shocking.

Read more: Sri Lanka condemns the terrorist attack at a school in Peshawar

The Government of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the siege by a gunman on Monday 15th December at a café in Sydney’s central business district where 17 people were held hostage and resulted in the death of two hostages and injured five including a policeman. 

Read more: Sri Lanka Condemns Act of Terror in Sydney

Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon greeting the Sri Lanka Air Force crew at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Hulhule' Island, Maldives

Continuing Sri Lanka’s assistance to Maldives to address the ongoing water crisis in the capital, Male, the Sri Lanka Air Force in a special humanitarian operation today (11 December 2014), transported from Singapore to Maldives, the essential spares and accessories for repair of the desalination facility in Male. Due to the size and dimensions of the cargo, it was not feasible to dispatch the equipment on a commercial flight.  Therefore, acceding to a request from the Government of Maldives, President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed the Sri Lanka Air Force to undertake the transport of the equipment to Maldives on an urgent basis. 

Read more: SLAF transports equipment to repair desalination plant in Male in a special humanitarian operation

The Government of Sri Lanka commenced delivery of drinking water to the capital Malé by the evening of 5^th December. Malé is facing a severe shortage of drinking water, following a fire on the previous day at its sole water purification plant which disrupted the water supply to the city, and prompted the authorities to declare a "disaster situation." Malé is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and is home to over 100,000 people, being approximately one third of the total population of the Maldives.

Read more: Sri Lanka provides immediate assistance to relieve potable water crisis in Maldives

The Government and people of Sri Lanka join me in extending warm felicitations to the people of South Asia, as we commemorate the 30^th Anniversary of the SAARC Charter Day on 8^th December.

Our region is characterized by diverse cultures, ethnic groups, religions and languages nurturing over centuries the finest works of philosophy, arts & culture, music, dance, attire and cuisine.  Common civilizational links bind us through values of unity and tolerance.  SAARC’s strength is in its diversity and harmonious coexistence.

Read more: Message from H.E. The President on the occasion of the SAARC Charter Day

I am delighted to convey my warm greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the SAARC Charter Day. 

Three decades ago, our countries established SAARC with the conviction that regional co-operation among countries of South Asia is mutually beneficial, desirable and necessary for promoting the welfare and improving the quality of life of the people of our region.  Since then, SAARC has witnessed steady progress in a wide range of areas identified for co-operation and we can take some pride on our achievements since 1985.  Nevertheless, our regular assessment of SAARC has prompted us to appreciate the need for making the organization more result oriented and people centric. The declaration “Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity”, of the 18^th SAARC Summit, in fact reflects this collective desire and provides a road map for our forward movement. 

Read more: Message from Hon. Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka on the SAARC Charter Day_ 8 December

Sri Lanka welcomes the decision of the Council of the European Union to appeal the judgement of the General Court of the European Union of 16 October 2014, which annulled measures taken by the Council to designate the LTTE as a terrorist organization and the freezing of LTTE funds.

The action taken by the Council of the European Union demonstrates commitment for the fight against terrorism at a time when this threat is increasingly posing a significant challenge to global peace and stability, necessitating a collective and vigorous international effort to counter.

Sri Lanka has worked closely with the EU and its Member States in investigations against activities on EU territory by networks of the LTTE, which remains proscribed in the USA, Canada, India, the UK and Sri Lanka and impressed the urgent need for action to be taken to maintain the proscription. It is encouraging that the decision by the Council of the European Union to appeal, suspends the effects of the judgement until the completion of the appeal process, particularly given the continued activities of the LTTE networks in Europe.

Read more: MEDIA STATEMENT