Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto

The seventy-sixth session (CS 76) of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)  was successfully conducted on a virtual platform for the first time in its history,  due to the COVID 19 situation, on 21 May 2020, in Bangkok. The CS 76 deliberated on ‘Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development’, reiterating commitments to realize SDG 14 on ‘life below water’, as its key theme for the Session. Delegations also engaged on a discussion on ‘Regional cooperation to address the socio-economic effects of the global health crisis’, where Sri Lanka joined in cosponsoring the resolution presented by the Secretariat, emphasizing the need for collaborative action in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic to the world and particularly to the developing countries in the most populous Asia and the Pacific Region.

Sri Lanka was also elected by acclamation to the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) for the term 2020-2023, which is the regional body hosted in India, that is focusing on Science, Technology and Innovation; Technology Transfer; Technology Intelligence.

The Sri Lankan delegation led by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP, Ambassador Samantha K. Jayasuriya, played an active role in showcasing Sri Lanka’s policies and best practices in the thematic area of oceans for sustainable development. Sri Lanka also presented GOSL’s efforts in responding to the COVID-19 health crisis and suggested useful recommendations to the UNESCAP to support its member States in addressing socio-economic impacts.

Making a further submission under  the Agenda on regional cooperation to address the socio-economic effects of the global health crisis, the  Deputy Permanent Representative,  Poornima Gunasekera,  elaborated the efforts taken by the Government of Sri Lanka in tackling and mitigating the risks associated with the corona virus pandemic. Presenting Sri Lanka’s recommendations to ESCAP for stronger regional cooperation to ensure a collective response, Ms. Gunasekera stressed on the need for developing a strong platform within UN ESCAP aiming at; sharing experiences and best practices, developing strong regional and global collaboration on enhancing capacity building in public health systems, exchanging technical cooperation and ways to access medical supplies at affordable prices and formulating and implementing macroeconomic policies, and negotiating regional cooperative mechanisms and agreements in trade and investment.

Ambassador Jayasuriya in her capacity as the Chair of the open-ended working group for reviewing the Conference structure of the Commission pursuant to the resolution 73/1, presented the Chair’s summary to the Commission recommending further negotiations on the subject.

Inaugurating the session  online, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the Governments and leaders are grappling with a wide range of challenges that risk recent progress in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world and all have an opportunity to build back better on the foundations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Prime Minister of Thailand, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha also addressed the session via a video message.

The 76th Commission session, was attended by over 264 delegates, representing 54 Member States and associate members and 8 additional observer countries.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to UNESCAP

Bangkok

23 May 2020

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in partnership with the Registrar General’s Department launched the pilot project to facilitate overseas Sri Lankans to obtain certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates through Sri Lanka Missions abroad. The system provides Missions access to the e-BMD database (electronic - Birth, Marriage and Death certificate Database) of the Registrar General’s Department in Sri Lanka.

The pilot project is initially implemented through the Sri Lanka Embassies / Consulates General in Tokyo (Japan), Kuwait, Doha (Qatar), Milan (Italy), Toronto (Canada), Melbourne (Australia), and Dubai (UAE). Building upon this, the Ministry and the Department will actively work towards periodically expanding the service to all other Sri Lankan Missions and Posts abroad, ensuring an efficient consular service to the Sri Lankan community.

Certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates are a mandatory requirement for several purposes. The significant aspect of the pilot project is that it facilitates overseas Sri Lankans to obtain the required certified copies through Sri Lanka Missions overseas instead of their representatives in Sri Lanka having to do so on their behalf from the Office of the Registrar General.

Upon application, the authorized Sri Lanka Missions will issue certified copies through retrieval of such certificates from the e-BMD database.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, launched the pilot project at the Ministry in the presence of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Secretary of the Ministry Aruni Ranaraja, Registrar General W.R.A.N.S. Wijayasinghe and senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, Registrar General’s Department, and the Ministry.

Following the launch of the project by virtually connecting with the respective Sri Lanka Missions, Minister Herath described the initiative as an important milestone in the Government’s journey towards a digital Sri Lanka. He went on to emphasize that national initiatives on digitalization should be extended to the Sri Lankans living abroad as well adding that this project - designed and implemented within two months - showcases the government’s strong commitment and support to digitalization of services to the public.

Secretary Aruni Ranaraja in her remarks echoed the importance of delivering efficient and effective services to the public. While observing that digital platforms are an important tool for provisions of services to the public, she highlighted that through this initiative, the Ministry and Missions will enhance services to the overseas Sri Lankans.

Sri Lankan expatriates residing in countries where the pilot project is now operational can apply for certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates by submitting the application forms available at the respective Missions and Posts.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

Colombo

07 January 2025

Greetings for the New Year 2025!

His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka launched the "Clean Sri Lanka" Project effective from 01st January 2025 with the objective of ensuring a cleaner physical environment and a nationwide moral commitment to enhance ethical principles.

The official website of the "Clean Sri Lanka" Project could be accessed through https://cleansrilanka.gov.lk

Sri Lanka Consulate General

Toronto

04th January 2025