Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
Let us unite and dedicate ourselves for the betterment of our Motherland – Foreign Minister Gunawardena
Sunday, 03 January 2021 02:23
It is our responsibility in the New Year 2021 to work together as Sri Lankans shedding all differences to safeguard the dignity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka while maintaining ‘Kalyana Mithra’ friendly relations with all countries of the world, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated in his message for the New Year.
Everyone needs to think about how the countries in the world that are far more oppressed than our’s and have less facilities than us were able to develop faster than us. We should take examples of the political, social and economic changes that have taken place in those countries.
Pure Theravada Buddhism is a very valuable guide for the development of Sri Lanka, but it is time now for us to look back to see whether we have paid full attention to do that.
The Policy Statement ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ and the Non-Aligned Friendly Foreign Policy of the Government will help make Sri Lanka a great nation in the world. We will all work towards these goals in this New Year to protect our motherland as a sovereign state and exemplary to the future generations.
Foreign Minister Gunawardena wished that this New Year would be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all Sri Lankans, as well all people around the world.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
01 January 2021
PRESIDENT'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE
Friday, 01 January 2021 00:00
SOUTH AFRICA DESIRES BALANCE IN TRADE TIES, WILLING TO CONSIDER SLASHING TARIFFS FOR SRI LANKAN TEA EXPORTS
Sunday, 27 December 2020 16:02
The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) warmly received the outgoing South African High Commissioner in Colombo, Robina P. Marks to address the ‘Sri Lanka – South Africa Business Promotion Meeting’ on 14 December, 2020.
Delivering the opening remarks, High Commissioner Marks said that South Africa has been able to expand its trade footprint in Sri Lanka and that overall trade stood hugely in favour of her country. South Africa is Sri Lanka’s largest source of imports and the second largest export destination in the African region. Imports from South Africa largely consists of coal and Sri Lankan exports comprise of bulk tea, apparel, and rubber products.
Commenting further on bilateral trade ties in the COVID-19 era, the High Commissioner underscored the need to recalibrate its trade strategy in Sri Lanka and the desire for a more balanced trade relationship between the two countries. “Even though national interest is important to all countries, we do want a more balanced trade between Sri Lanka and South Africa. We think that its important because we both need to work on the basis that each have something to offer in this bilateral relationship,” she added.
Addressing concerns over market access for Sri Lankan tea, the High Commissioner said “we would consider, possibly, a request to lower for a period of time not exceeding three years, tea tariffs … to give some relief to Sri Lanka … in the spirit of supporting developing countries become sustainable as they can be.”
In terms of investment, High Commissioner Marks said that international retail brand, SPAR, through a joint venture between SPAR Group Ltd South Africa and Ceylon Biscuits Limited has opened four outlets in Sri Lanka with plans to expand up to 20 retail stores.
During the meeting, High Commissioner Marks also exchanged views with representatives of the Sri Lankan businesses community on the possibility of boosting fish exports to South Africa, value addition and knowledge sharing in the gem and jewellery industry, opportunities in the renewable energy sector and sharing expertise in food preservation in the canning industry.
The virtual meeting was organised on the request of the Foreign Minister, and the Chairman of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategics Studies, Dinesh Gunawardena. Kosala Wickramanayake, member of the Board of Management of LKI and the President of the International Business Council in Sri Lanka; Benjamin Jourdaan, Country Manager, Asia, Wesgro; Nadine Smith-Clarke, Manager, International Trade Development, Wesgro; Shiran Fernando, Chief Executive Officer, Tess PLC; Armil Sammoon, Chairman, Sapphire Capital and Ruvinika Kinigama, Director, Marketing, Ranfer Group attended the meeting.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
24 December 2020
PRESIDENT'S CHRISTMAS DAY MESSAGE
Thursday, 24 December 2020 23:54
THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL DONATES TWO VENTILATORS TO SRI LANKA
Thursday, 24 December 2020 19:51
Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage formally handed over two ventilators (VG70 Ventilator and Vivo 65 advanced homecare ventilator) donated by the Government of Israel to Secretary of the Ministry of Health Major General Dr. S.H. Munasinghe at the Foreign Ministry today, 24 December 2020.
The two ventilators were donated through the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, which is concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka. Following the donation on 10 December 2020, Foreign Secretary Colombage, extended Sri Lanka’s gratitude to the Government of Israel during a virtual meeting with the Ambassador of Israel to Sri Lanka resident in New Delhi Dr. Ron Malka. During this virtual meeting both parties also discussed avenues for future cooperation in many fields including Agriculture, IT, Science & Technology and Skills Development.
The two ventilators which will be utilized, will contribute to supporting the health sector and treating many COVID-19 patients in intensive care units who are most in need.
The Honorary Consul for Israel in Colombo Wicky Wikramasinghe and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Health also attended the event.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
24 December 2020
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena meets with the Ambassadors of the Netherlands and Turkey
Wednesday, 23 December 2020 21:24
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met with Ambassador of the Netherlands Tanja Gonggrijp and Ambassador of Turkey R. Demet Sekercioglu on 22 December 2020 and discussed several areas of ongoing cooperation.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the generous assistance provided by the Government of the Netherlands to upgrade hospitals in the Northern Province and Kalutara District. Discussion also took place on ongoing assistance from the Netherlands in the construction of bridges in rural areas, water treatment plants, vocational training and restoration work at archeological sites. Foreign Minister Gunawardena also appreciated the assistance being provided for the digitization of archival documents.
The Foreign Minister noted the significant growth of exports from Sri Lanka to the Netherlands and expressed the keen interest to further strengthen economic ties and tourism. The Minister observed that relations between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have grown into a multifaceted partnership.
While talking with the Ambassador of Turkey R. Demet Sekercioglu, Minister Gunawardena appreciated the generous COVID-19 related assistance of Turkey. The Minister also appreciated that despite the COVID-19 related challenges Turkish Airlines has continued to operate regular weekly flights to Sri Lanka, thereby strengthening connectivity between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Gunawardena noted the potential to further enhance trade and investment and to further strengthen cooperation at the international level. The Foreign Minister welcomed the prospect of high level visits from Turkey and the forthcoming meeting of the Joint Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
23 December 2020
“LAWS SHOULD BE FORMULATED BY THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF TO PROTECT THE FLORA” SAYS CARDINAL MALCOLM RANJITH
Wednesday, 23 December 2020 21:22
His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has stated that if the ecosystem is protected, the country's water resources will become a major source of income for the country in the future. The Cardinal stated this when addressing Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who paid a courtesy call at his official residence today (22) to offer greetings to His Eminence for the upcoming Christmas season.
“Our country is being deforested on a large scale by now. It has to stop and the government should take necessary steps to formulate a programme to protect forests in accordance with the Constitution itself. Laws should be enacted to severely punish those who destroy the flora in this country. If the ecosystem of the country could be protected by doing so, our water resources would be in great demand, in future world water shortages” the Cardinal said.
Commenting on this, the Minister said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s programme is dedicated to rescue cities from being oxygen deficient and that environment friendly activities are included in the village-by-village development programme. Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena was also present on this occasion.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
22 December 2020
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