Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Sri Lanka’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dayani Mendis, in a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has raised concerns regarding the allegations made in a press release issued by the High Commissioner on 03 June 2020 regarding “clampdown” of freedom of expression during COVID-19, in which a reference had been made to Sri Lanka.

The letter highlights that it has become essential for all countries and Governments to take measures to counter misinformation and disinformation in the interest of protecting public health, particularly during the
COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are also in line with the consensus resolution on COVID-19 response adopted on 18 May 2020 at the 73 World Health Assembly (WHA), which also, inter alia, calls on Member States to provide the population with reliable and comprehensive information on COVID-19 and take measures to counter misinformation and disinformation.

Read more: SRI LANKA RAISES CONCERNS ON REFERENCE TO SRI LANKA IN OHCHR PRESS RELEASE

On behalf of the President and Prime Minister, Government and people of Sri Lanka, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena met the Ambassadors of Arab Countries based in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, today, 8 June 2020 and expressed sincere gratitude through them to their respective Arab Governments for the support and solidarity given to the people and Government of Sri Lanka during this unprecedented international situation of the spread of COVID –19.

As the largest expatriate community that lives and works in the Middle East, Minister Gunawardena took the opportunity to extend appreciation for the steps taken to look after the health and safety of those Sri Lankans. He said that the Government plans to bring the returnees from the region in a smooth and systematic manner.

Minister Gunawardena further expressed Sri Lanka’s keen interest in enhancing and strengthening economic and trade ties with the Arab world, especially through a Government to Government mechanism. The need to increase the market accessibility for Sri Lankan tea was highlighted by the Minister. He was optimistic that the socio- economic and political relations will be further consolidated following the Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka.

Read more: AMBASSADORS OF ARAB COUNTRIES MEET FOREIGN RELATIONS MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA AND ASSURE FULLEST SUPPORT AND COOPERATION TOWARDS SRI LANKA

Following the revised instructions issued on 4 June 2020 by the Presidential Secretariat on the PCR testing and quarantine procedures for the members of the Diplomatic corps based/attached in Colombo when they enter/re-enter Sri Lanka in order to prevent and minimize the risk of the spread of the Coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, took immediate action to convey the same to all Diplomatic Missions, the Representation Offices of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, International Organizations, Honorary Consulates resident in Colombo through diplomatic channels.

Read more: REVISED INSTRUCTIONS ON PCR TESTING AND QUARANTINE PROCEDURES FOR DPLS ENTERING SRI LANKA