Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

It has been reported that there are around 75-100 Sri Lankan expatriates, including students in Yemen. Due to the volatile situation in the country, the Government of Sri Lanka is making arrangements to evacuate all Sri Lankans in Yemen, who are principally residing in the capital, Sana’a and other main cities, such as Hodeida, Aden and Mukalla. 

Read more: GOSL makes arrangements to evacuate Sri Lankans in Yemen

H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka paid a State Visit to the People’s Republic of China from 25 to 27 March 2015 on the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.  During the visit, President Sirisena also met with H.E. Li Keqiang, Premier, and H.E. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.  This was President Sirisena’s first visit to China as President undertaken within three months of his election.

Read more: President Maithripala Sirisena Undertakes Successful State Visit to the People’s Republic of China

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, arrived in Singapore today, and proceeded to the Parliament House, accompanied by Mr. Wishwanath Aponsu, Acting High Commissioner in Singapore to pay condolences on behalf of H.E. the President, Hon. Prime Minister and the people of Sri Lanka.

Read more: Foreign Minister pays last respects to Former Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar arrived in Sri Lanka on a State Visit today, 24^th March 2015 at the invitation of President H.E. Maithripala Sirisena. 

Read more: State Visit of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar to Sri Lanka

Dr. Didier Burkhalter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland paid  an official visit to Sri Lanka from 16 to 18 March 2015, accompanied by a high level delegation. This was the first official visit of a Swiss Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka. 

Read more: Swiss Foreign Minister concludes successful visit to Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera introduced amendments in Parliament today to the United Nations Regulations 1 and 2 of 2012 promulgated under the United Nations Act number 45 of 1968, to bring them into line with international obligations and strengthen the domestic legislative framework. 

Read more: Minister Samaraweera highlights Sri Lanka’s domestic legislative measures to combat terrorist financing and money laundering

Sri Lanka condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous terrorist suicide attacks targeting worshippers who were attending Sunday prayers at two Christian churches at Youhanabad, Lahore in Pakistan on 15 March 2015 killing 16 people and injuring more than 70 people.

This dastardly act against a religious congregation engaged in the practice and sustenance of their faith and spiritual upliftment is not only an attack against a group and places of worship but against humanity and the civilized world.

Sri Lanka as a country which has suffered from the scourge of terrorism for more than 30 years share the grief and pain of the people of Pakistan at this moment of distress. Sri Lanka reiterates its solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts in eliminating terrorism from Pakistan. Sri Lanka extends deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved and prays for speedy recovery of the injured.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo 

17th March 2015