Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Ambassador of Viet Nam in Colombo Ho Thi Thanh Truc paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry on 08 September 2021.

While recalling that the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries took place in 2020, Foreign Minister Peiris appreciated the mutually beneficial partnership existing between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam, and reiterated the country’s interest to further strengthen cooperation in political, economic and cultural spheres. He also recalled regular high-level interactions between the two countries, including the official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Viet Nam in 2009.

Ambassador Truc elaborated on the multifaceted nature of ongoing cooperation between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam drawing attention to political ties at all levels, as well as cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries, science and technology, education, culture, among other spheres.

Minister Peiris expressed his deep appreciation for the support extended to Sri Lanka by Viet Nam in international fora and welcomed collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

09 September 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-fm-viet-nam/)

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will shortly make a visit to Bologna, Italy, to participate in an international event which is to be graced by the Prime Minister of Italy and other dignitaries from Italy and other European countries.

The Foreign Minister, at his briefing conducted on Monday 6 September, clearly described the purpose of the scheduled visit. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the opening session of the international symposium which will be held in one of Europe’s oldest seats of learning, the University of Bologna.

At no stage has the Prime Minister requested nor has he received an invitation to visit the Vatican for an audience with His Holiness, the Pope.

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will be leaving Italy, at the conclusion of the events in Bologna.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

08 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/pm-visit-italy/)

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions to the health, safety, and livelihoods of people around the world. Therefore, multilateralism and international cooperation provide the best possible means to effectively and sustainably defeat the pandemic.

It is equally important to conduct a comprehensive, inclusive, and impartial study on the origin of the virus.

Sri Lanka notes the leading role played by the World Health Organization (WHO) in this regard and the contents of the joint report of the WHO–convened Global Study released in March 2021.

Sri Lanka reiterates that the study on the origin tracing of SARS-Co-V-2 should be based on scientific and evidence-based methods and should not be politicized. The next phase of the study should reflect the key findings of the previous WHO-led joint study report.

Sri Lanka will continue to constructively engage with all international partners to find amicable and comprehensive solutions to unresolved issues in this regard.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

8 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/origins-covid-19/)

The Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka Rita Giuliana Manella paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Thursday 2 September at the Foreign Ministry.

The Ambassador extended her warm felicitations to Minister Peiris on his recent appointment as Foreign Minister.  Minister Peiris appreciated the strong, friendly, mutually beneficial partnership existing between Sri Lanka and Italy spanning political, economic and cultural relations.  The potential for further expansion of trade and investment ties, tourism and people-to-people contacts were discussed.

The Foreign Minister alluded to the positive contribution by the Sri Lankan community in Italy towards economic and cultural enrichment of both countries, as well as the recorded history of strong diplomatic ties that existed between Sri Lanka and Rome since 1st century AD.

Minister Peiris apprised the Italian Ambassador on Sri Lanka’s regional and multilateral engagements, and it was agreed to continue close dialogue and cooperation on matters of mutual interest.  Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry participated in the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

04 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-fm-italy/)

Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris received the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) Hanaa Singer – Hamdy, on a courtesy call at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo on 2 September.

Minister Peiris thanked the UNRC for the constructive and ongoing cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UNRC and the UN country team in the context of the national development priorities and needs for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He briefed the UNRC on Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to contain the Covid pandemic and the challenges faced in this regard. He appreciated the work done by the UN including WHO and UNICEF as well as the assistance received through the ADB and the World Bank. The Minister also briefed the UNRC on the progress made through domestic mechanisms on human rights including SDG 16 dealing with Peace, Justice and Institutions.

The UNRC briefed the Minister about the preparation process underway between Sri Lanka and the United Nations under the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023 – 2027 which embodies the priorities for Sri Lanka in cooperation with the UN for the next 5 years. This is the last cycle of the UNSDCF ahead of the target set for the SDGs in 2030. She reiterated the cooperation of the UN country team in all aspects of Sri Lanka’s efforts to achieve peace and development.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

2 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-unrc/)

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris met the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Libya in Sri Lanka Amar A.M. Muftah,  on Wednesday, 01 September 2021 at the Foreign Ministry and discussed matters of mutual interest in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Libyan Charge d’ Affaires conveyed the felicitations of the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs to  Minister Peiris on his recent appointment as Foreign Minister.

Libyan Charge d’ Affaires Muftah briefed the Minister on the current situation in Libya, in particular the role of the interim caretaker government that has been in office since March 2021. He briefed on the preparations for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections to be held on 24 December 2021 and made a request for Sri Lanka to consider sending an election monitoring mission. Foreign Minister Peiris recalled that Sri Lankans have enjoyed universal franchise since 1931, 17 years before independence. He said that Sri Lanka, as a democracy is supportive of the efforts by Libya to further strengthen the democratic process and will consider this request.

The Foreign Minister highlighted that the Government is focusing on economic diplomacy, by improving trade relations and expanding the export market in the African region. It was agreed to continue discussions regarding improving Sri Lanka's trade ties with Libya in the tea, gem and jewellery and tourism sectors.

Minister Peiris apprised the Libyan envoy on Sri Lanka’s regional and multilateral engagements and it was agreed to continue close cooperation at the international level.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

02 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-libya/)

The Government of Sri Lanka has been made aware that the UK Home Secretary has decided to maintain the proscription of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organization under the UK Terrorism Act No. 7 of 2000.

The Home Secretary’s decision, which has been taken following the judgement of the Proscribed Organizations Appeals Commission (POAC), rejects the application of a LTTE front organization to de-proscribe the LTTE in the UK.

The LTTE, therefore, remains a proscribed organization in the UK, as in over 30 other countries worldwide, including in the EU region.

LTTE was initially proscribed in these countries due to the group’s brutality and atrocities targeting civilians and democratically elected leaders, involvement in organized crime and other criminal activities that impacted global and regional security. The continued retention of the LTTE’s proscription worldwide, is a recognition of the continued threat posed by the remnants of the group working through its international network, which continue to finance terrorist activities, radicalize youth towards violent extremism and cause ethnic disharmony and disrupt cohesive living in every country in which they are active.

The Government of Sri Lanka is appreciative of the partnership with the UK, and all governments, in the global fight against terrorism, and remain committed to working with the UK in all efforts to mitigate terrorism and violent extremism, that threaten the lives of citizens, and endanger global and regional peace and security.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

2 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/ltte-proscription-uk/)