Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Prasad Kariyawasam assumes duties as Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Following his appointment by President Maithripala Sirisena on 29 July, as Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prasad Kariyawasam assumed duties yesterday morning, Tuesday 15 August 2017.

Mr. Kariyawasam joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1981. Prior to his appointment as Secretary, he served as the Ambassador for Sri Lanka to the United States of America from July 2014 to August 2017. He has held diplomatic assignments in Geneva, Riyadh, Washington, New York and New Delhi, and has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York and Geneva and High Commissioner to India. He has been previously concurrently accredited as Ambassador / High Commissioner to Chile, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Holy See, Bhutan and Afghanistan.

Biodata of Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - (PDF)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

16 August 2017

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Attends BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Kathmandu

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake attended the Fifteenth Ministerial Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 11 August 2017.

Dengue Epidemic in Sri Lanka is successfully brought under control

The Dengue Epidemic that has become a concern in Sri Lanka for the past few months is successfully brought under control by the measures taken by the relevant government authorities and collective effort of the general public alike, Sri Lanka Tourism confirms. Reported cases have dropped by 35-40% since mid-July according to the sources of Ministry of Health. Regular campaigns were implemented to educate, clean up areas and other preventive measures have been taking place to control the spreading of the disease under guidance and surveillance of the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka.

Collection of Biometrics from Passport Applicants Applying through Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Kindly be informed that all passport applicants, applying through Sri Lanka Missions overseas from 1^st November 2017, will be required to provide their biometric information (fingerprint and digital face image) to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, upon their first entry to Sri Lanka after obtaining their passports. At present biometrics are not collected from applicants who submit passport applications through Sri Lanka Missions overseas. Mandatory collection of biometrics of passport applicants in Sri Lanka was initially introduced a system of on 15^th August 2015. This system is being extended to all passport applicants in order to strengthen the integrity of the passport issuance process. Necessary facilities will be available at the Department’s Head Office and branches in Sri Lanka including at airports, to complete this process to minimize inconvenience caused to the applicants.

Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Toronto

01.08.2017

Statement by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs following bilateral talks with Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia on 19th July 2017 in Colombo

Your Excellency Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia,

His Excellency Bryce Hutchesson, High Commissioner of Australia,

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure I extend a warm welcome to Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia to Sri Lanka. The visit is significant, since it coincides with the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.