Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
THE MESSAGE OF HON. DINESH GUNAWARDENA, FOREIGN MINISTER OF SRI LANKA FOR VESAK DAY 2021
Wednesday, 26 May 2021 00:00
THE MESSAGE OF H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA FOR VESAK DAY 2021
Wednesday, 26 May 2021 00:00
HE VIDEO MESSAGE (ENGLISH) OF HON.MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA PRIME MINISTER OF SRI LANKA FOR VESAK DAY 2021
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 17:57
https://wetransfer.com/
FOREIGN MINISTRY ORGANIZES SEVERAL SPECIAL VESAK PROGRAMMES
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 00:08
Under the guidance of Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, the Foreign Ministry has planned several religious programmes to celebrate the Vesak Festival this year.
Accordingly, a special Dhamma Discourse organized by the Foreign Ministry was held on 21 May at the Bambalapitiya Siri Vajirama Temple under the patronage of Most Ven. Gnanaseeha Nayaka Thero.
Concurrent to the sermon, parcels containing dry food items were distributed among the families of the cleaning crew members of the Ministry affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic, led by the Foreign Service Association and the Foreign Ministry Welfare Association.
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, President of the Foreign Service Association Wishwanath Aponso and other officials of the Association as well as senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present at the occasion.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
23 May 2021
FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA MEETS EU AMBASSADORS IN COLOMBO
Wednesday, 19 May 2021 17:54
Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) based in Colombo called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday 18 May 2021 at the Foreign Ministry, and discussed issues of mutual interest, including EU-Sri Lanka cooperation, and the GSP Plus process.
The Foreign Minister welcomed the multifaceted cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and the EU. Follow up action on the EU - Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting held on 25 January 2021 was also discussed.
Among other issues discussed was the EU’s contribution towards the COVAX facility supporting global efforts to secure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by countries, including Sri Lanka, in the context of the national action plan to inoculate its adult population against the virus.
The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi, the Ambassador of France Eric Lavertu, the Ambassador of Italy Rita Mannella, the Ambassador of the Netherlands Tanja Gonggrip, the Ambassador of Germany Holger Seubert, and the Chargé d’Affaires of Romania Victor Chiujdea participated in the meeting. The State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
19 May 2021
STATE MINISTRY OF REGIONAL COOPERATION LAUNCHES CREATIVE ECONOMY PROGRAMME
Tuesday, 18 May 2021 18:33
The State Ministry of Regional Cooperation has launched a “Creative Economy Programme” with the view towards contributing to the country’s economy and promoting Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. The ‘creative economy’ is a rapidly expanding segment of the global economy and has made a crucial contribution towards generating employment, income and exports. Based on creativity, it encompasses all artistic, innovative and cultural products and services. It is also conducive to sustainable development.
Recognizing the contribution that regional cooperation could make towards developing the creative economy in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya launched two inaugural initiatives under the “Creative Economy Programme” with Indonesia. The initiatives focus on the development of the batik industry in Sri Lanka and the promotion of the country’s unique architectural heritage.
The project to enhance Sri Lankan batiks has been launched in collaboration with the State Ministry of Batik, Fabric and Local Apparel Products, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Indonesia, the private sector batik manufacturers and SMESCO of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives of Indonesia. The objective of this initiative is to obtain Indonesian expertise to introduce new techniques to improve and develop the industry and to promote Sri Lanka’s batik products abroad. This initiative will also serve to generate employment, particularly to rural women and contribute to the export sector.
The second initiative seeks to promote Sri Lanka’s architectural heritage abroad. In this regard, a tour by some of Indonesia’s most prominent architects is planned to study the country’s architecture, including the renowned works of Geoffrey Bawa and his “tropical modernism” style. This initiative, while enhancing cultural cooperation, also seeks to build linkages between the architecture fraternities of the two countries and promote tourism.
Virtual discussions were held last week between Sri Lanka and Indonesia on these two initiatives. CEO of SMESCO Indonesia Leonard Theosobrata, as well as leading Indonesian architects participated at the event. State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia Yasoja Gunasekera, Director General of the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation Savitri Panabokke and representatives from the batik and architecture fields were among those who participated at the meeting.
State Ministry of Regional Cooperation
Colombo
18 May, 2021
THE MESSAGE OF H.E. GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA, PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA ON THE OCCASION OF RAMAZAN
Friday, 14 May 2021 00:00
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