south coast, mighty blue whales are regular visitors from January to April while land-based wildlife thrills include the leopards and elephants of Yala National Park, and the more rugged and remote Wilpattu National Park, open once more after being closed for more than two decades”
Read more: Sri Lanka named the Best Travel Destination in the World for 2013
The Unity Vesak 2012 - celebrations held at Mel Lastman Square today drew large crowds, estimated at over 1700 people who witnessed a noble display that was truly multicultural. The celebration was the brainchild of Consul General for Sri Lanka in Toronto, Mr. Karunarathna Paranawithana with the collaboration of Maha Sangha and leaders of all the Buddhist Temples and communities in Canada. It was a diverse spectacle enjoyed by the multitude of people in weather conditions that may be called “ideal” for the occasion. The event brought together a coterie of Maha Sangha from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for the first time in this great city of ours. H.E. (Mrs.) Chitranganee Wagiswara, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada was present to support the efforts of the Consul General and his team.
Read more: “UNITY VESAK 2012″ draw large crowds at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto
Sri Lanka’s 64th Independence Day Ceremony organised by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto on 4th February, 2012 was a great success with wider participation of Sri Lankan communities.
Sri Lanka Consulate in Toronto celebrated Thai Pongal 2012 at the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple in North york Toronto on the 15th January. Consul General Karunarathna Paranawithana participated in the event.
Parliament of Sri Lanka on November 23rd passed a motion to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to formulate a political solution to the country's ethnic issue.
The parliament announced that a motion to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament to recommend and report on political and constitutional measures to empower the people of Sri Lanka to live as one nation was passed by the House.
The political parties in Parliament are requested to name their representatives to the PSC.
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, Canada and the Consul General’s Office in Toronto in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Tamil Community, for the second time, organised a colourful event to celebrate the Deepavali festival 2011 on Sunday 6th November at the Korean Cultural Centre in Toronto.
Read more: Deepavali Celebrated in Canada amidst attempts to disrupt the event
My country and my people who are experiencing economic revival, peace and tranquility throughout the country after many decades look forward to welcoming all of you to Colombo in 2013 President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
Addressing the concluding session of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth today President Rajapaksa said that CHOGM comes to Asia after 22 years, last being in Malaysia. "I have no doubt that all my Asian colleagues will, in 2013, join me and the people of Sri Lanka in welcoming you to our region, which is home to over two thirds of the population of the Commonwealth, to deliberate on all issues in which we are collectively interested", he said.
Read more: Sri Lanka awaits to welcome you - President tells CHOGM leaders
In Sri Lanka today, Deepavali and its light of hope provide the opportunity for greater understanding among communities, increased harmony among peoples and the shedding of differences that have kept people apart for a long period, says President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Deepavali Message.
“Victory of good over evil, the shedding of light over darkness and the triumph of knowledge over ignorance are the eternal quest of humankind. Deepavali, known as the Festival of Light is the expression of the spiritual richness of people as it marks the progress made in the constant struggle for a better life with all the above achievements, in keeping with the great spiritual values of Hindus”, he further adds.
Sri Lanka, a proud and accomplished nation, has the courage of its convictions, and is prepared to engage with the world in respect of all aspects of its current experience, Professor G.L.Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, said in Paris just before his meeting with Alain Juppé, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic.
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