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Emergency Contact details in Sri Lanka

The following official can be Contacted with regard to any Consular and Media inquiries one the explosions that occurred on 21/04/2019 Sri Lanka

Consular /Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka

1.Mr. U.L. Mohommed Jauhar
Director General /Consular Affairs
Mobile:+94 774 513 222

2.Ms. Sachini Dias

Assistant Director / Consular Affairs

Mobile : +94 766 230 974

Media/Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka

1.Mrs. Saroja Sirisena

Director General / Public Diplomacy

Mobile : +94 777 328 8348

2.Mr. Niluka Kadurugamuwa

Director / Public Diplomacy

Mobile : +94 773 398 9623

3.Mr.Thulan Bandara

Assistant Director /Public Diplomacy

Mobile : +94 714 253 117

MEDIA RELEASE

Following the explosions that took place in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, earlier today, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as deceased at the National Hospital in Colombo stands at eleven. The fatalities are: three (03) from India, one (01) from Portugal, two (02) from Turkey, three (03) from the UK, and two (02) holding US and UK nationalities.

Additionally, while nine foreign nationals are reported missing, there are twenty five unidentified bodies believed to be of foreigners at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary.

Furthermore, as at 6pm today, 19 foreign nationals injured in the attacks are receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

Directors of Negombo and Batticaloa General Hospitals and the Colombo North Teaching Hospital have informed the Foreign Ministry that no foreigners have been admitted with injuries or declared dead at their respective hospitals.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Secretary S. Hettiarachchi visited the Colombo National Hospital this afternoon where victims were receiving treatment and also the mortuary to express condolences to the bereaved families. The respective Colombo-based Heads of Mission of the countries of the deceased as well as Sri Lanka Missions overseas have been informed of the casualties.

The Foreign Ministry is in close contact with the relevant hospital authorities on the identification of the remaining victims. The Ministry will continue to monitor the welfare of the foreign nationals receiving treatment.

An emergency hotline to assist families of the affected foreign nationals will be operational 24 hours at +94 112323015.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

21 April 2019

Hon.Prime Minister's Statement

On behalf of the Government, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the injured persons and the relations of the deceased consequent to the recent attacks occurred this morning. I see this as an attempt to make the country and its economy unstable.

I condemn these attacks which targeted religious places and some hotels. We all should join hands to protect law and order. I have already instructed the Secretary I Defence, Tri Forces Commanders and the Inspector General of Police to take stringent action to ensure law and order in the country.

Further, I and some ministers had a discussion with HE the President in this regard. Secretary to the President, Attorney General, and Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary I Disaster Management and Security Chiefs were among the present.

Law will be strictly enforced against the persons those who are responsible for these attacks after finalizing the investigations,

We shall bear with this unfortunate situation and work together to uphold the law and order.

Thank you!

Text in Sinhala (PDF)

Text in Tamil (PDF)

PRESIDENT MAITHRIPLA SIRISENA CONDEMNS DASTARDLY ATTACK AND CALLS FOR RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE ORDERS SWIFT INVESTIGATIONS TO FIND CULPRITS BEHIND CONSPIRACY

President Maithripla Sirisena expressed his, shock, deep pain and dismay over the brutal attacks on places of religious worship and other civilian establishments.

He said that that he has instructed all law enforcement agencies and defence services to take every possible step to maintain law and order and conduct speedy investigations into the dastardly attack and bring the culprits and those who were behind this conspiracy to book.

“I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy,” the President said and added that all required steps have been taken to fulfill the responsibilities as a government.

President Sirisena appealed to the nation to act with utmost restraint and patience, and not to be misled by baseless rumours and false stories. He also urged the people to extend unstinted support and cooperation to the government for the steps taken at this trying occasion.

Source :http://www.pmdnews.lk/president-condemns-dastardly-attack-and-calls-for-restraint-and-patience-orders-swift-investigations-to-find-culprits-behind-conspiracy/

TWITTER MESSAGE BY PRIME MINISRER RANIL WICKREMESINGHE

PRESIDENT MAITHRIPLA SIRISENA CONDEMNS DASTARDLY ATTACK AND CALLS FOR RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE ORDERS SWIFT INVESTIGATIONS TO FIND CULPRITS BEHIND CONSPIRACY

President Maithripla Sirisena expressed his, shock, deep pain and dismay over the brutal attacks on places of religious worship and other civilian establishments.

Source:http://www.pmdnews.lk/president-condemns-dastardly-attack-and-calls-for-restraint-and-patience-orders-swift-investigations-to-find-culprits-behind-conspiracy/

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canada calls on the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and meets with representatives of all religious faiths in Toronto

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canada, M.A.K. Girihagama called on the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Hon. Ted Arnott on 28^th March 2019 at the Legislative Building in Ontario. The High Commissioner briefed Hon. Arnott on recent developments in Sri Lanka and the long standing bilateral relations shared between Sri Lanka and Canada. He also referred to the on-going reconciliation process in Sri Lanka and development assistance provided by Canada in this regard. Speaker Arnott thanked the High Commissioner and assured him of Ontario’s engagement on issues of mutual interest. The High Commissioner and the Speaker also agreed to continue working towards further enhancing the bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Ontario.

Following the meeting with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the High Commissioner also held discussions with Rev. Pastor Marc Dissanayake and the Board of Trustees at the Christian Ministries International followed by a meeting with the President and Chief Priest Vijayakumar Kurukkal and the Board of Trustees of Varasiththy Vinayagar Hindu Temple.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canada calls on the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and meets with representatives of all religious faiths in Toronto

Awareness Programmes for the inscription of Tripitaka to be a World Heritage

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The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto in co-ordination with the Buddhist temples in Toronto organized a series of events to mark the inscription of Tripitaka to be a World Heritage.

On Saturday, 16^th March 2019, the first event was organized at the West End Buddhist Temple & Meditation Centre in Mississauga. The programme commenced with the observance of the five precepts followed by the Buddha Pooja. This was followed by two lectures which were conducted during the event on ‘Introduction to Tripitaka’ by Ven. Kusalagnana Thero and on ‘Thripitaka and Spiritual values of Sri Lankan Social Life’ by Dr. Sarath Chandrasekera of the University of Toronto.