Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
SIXTH SRI LANKA-PAKISTAN FOREIGN OFFICE CONSULTATIONS CONCLUDED VIRTUALLY
Thursday, 17 December 2020 21:32
The sixth round of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Foreign Office Consultations was convened by virtual mode on 16 December 2020 after a lapse of three years under the co-chairmanship of Foreign Secretaries Admiral (Prof) Jayanath Colombage and Ambassador Sohail Mahmood respectively.
During the Consultations, a wide range of issues reflecting the robust collaboration between the two countries were discussed. This covered trade and investment, culture and tourism, defence cooperation, agriculture and animal husbandry, education and technical cooperation, sports and media, aviation sectors with emphasis on a deliverable work agenda.
Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof) Colombage underscored the realignment of Sri Lanka’s foreign relations towards neutrality and neighbourhood centric cooperation, based on the three pillars of national security, economic development and foreign policy. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Mahmood assured Pakistan’s full support for Sri Lanka’s development agenda through enhanced collaborations.
In order to address the constraints in achieving the full benefits of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA) that was signed in 2002, both sides agreed to revitalize the already established affiliated bilateral instruments. As PSFTA was Pakistan’s first such bilateral trade mechanism with another country, Foreign Secretary Mahmood stressed the need to expand its activities to capital and investment fields. Sri Lanka thanked Pakistan for the forthright support given to the Sri Lankans in Pakistan, particularly students, when the Covid-19 outbreak emerged. Both Foreign Secretaries endorsed rapid action to finalize the pending bilateral instruments without delay, while expediting the credit line projects implementation.
Along with Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof) Colombage, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Islamabad Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Karachi G.L.Gnanatheva and Senior Officials of the Foreign Ministry, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Education and the Representatives of the Sri Lankan Airlines participated at the virtual Consultations.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
17 December 2020
Notice to All Sri Lankan Pensioners Stranded in Canada due to COVID – 19 Pandemic
Wednesday, 16 December 2020 22:09
SRI LANKA TO PARTNER WITH THAILAND IN DIVERSIFIED AREAS FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Monday, 14 December 2020 19:29
Ambassador of Thailand in Sri Lanka Chulamanee Chartsuwan paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage on 10 December 2020 and discussed ways to fast track areas of cooperation in diversified sectors.
The two dignitaries held focused discussions on ways to strengthen and fast track the bilateral relationship. Both commended the ongoing discussions on the Thailand Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and noted on the progress made by both sides. The 1st Round Negotiations of ‘Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement’ was held in 2018 during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Thailand to Sri Lanka. The second meeting of the ‘Sri Lanka-Thailand Trade Negotiating Committee’ was held in 2019. Both parties endorsed that they are hopeful the negotiation process will be completed soon to reap the benefits for enhanced economic cooperation.
Ambassador Chartsuwan said that there is much scope for further expansion of Sri Lanka’s exports to Thailand through the implementation of the Strategic Economic Partnership (SEP) which was signed during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Thailand. The SEP outlines cooperation under 10 sectors such as infrastructure, agro industry, fisheries, gems and jewellery, tourism, SMEs, financial cooperation, packaging industries, IT sector development and other sectors of mutual economic interest.
Sri Lanka and Thailand have sustained a timeless, mutually enriching relationship over centuries. People of both countries are bound by the Theravada Buddhist links, and both countries have continued to flourish and diversify into multifaceted areas of cooperation since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1955.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
14 December 2020
MALAYSIA - SRI LANKA RELATIONS TO FOCUS ON BILATERAL COOPERATION IN TRADE AND SECURITY IN THE POST COVID-19 RECOVERY
Monday, 14 December 2020 19:27
Malaysian High Commissioner in Colombo Tan Yang Thai paid a Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Foreign Ministry premises on 11 December 2020. Discussions between the two dignitaries focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade and security between the two countries.
The High Commissioner while commenting that all countries are struggling to stay afloat amidst the raging COVID-19 virus which continues to claim heavy toll in their economies, commended policies implemented by Sri Lanka to tackle the spread of the virus. The High Commissioner further noted that Malaysia will continue to support the ASEAN centrality and the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) expected to facilitate the Southeast Asian economies to return to normalcy overcoming the contagion in the post COVID -19 era. The RCEP will connect about 30% of the world’s people and generate significant gains, in particular Southeast Asia by 2030 and improve access to Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) opening up opportunities for market access in areas of transport, energy, and communications.
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena further expressing his sincere wishes to the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, highlighted that he is optimistic that Sri Lanka and Malaysia could gear up its cooperation in multifarious fields at the beginning of next year by holding bilateral political consultations. Both dignitaries agreed that there is immense potential for Sri Lanka to expand trade with Malaysia, in particular agriculture based industries.
Minister Gunawardena further commended the cooperation extended by Malaysia in security related fields and both endorsed closer cooperation. High Commissioner Tan underlined that Malaysia will not condone any type of terrorism or extremism in Malaysia, and will take every measure to curtail and will continue to promote peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, the Malaysian High Commissioner assured that Malaysia will continue to support Sri Lanka in the regional and International fora. Minister Gunawardena reiterated that Sri Lanka expects to build a strong bond with the ASEAN community during his tenure and highlighted that Sri Lanka expects to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.
The trade between Sri Lanka and Malaysia has been increasing over the last few years with the emergence of Malaysia as one of Sri Lanka’s major trading partners. At present, Malaysia is the 4th supplier to Sri Lanka in 2019 supplying 4.6% of Sri Lanka’s total imports. Malaysia was the 39th export destination of Sri Lanka in 2019. Malaysia was the 6th investing partner of Sri Lanka in the year of 2019.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
14 December 2020
FOREIGN MINISTER GUNAWARDENA DISCUSSES GOSL CONCERNS WITH COLOMBO BASED ENVOYS
Wednesday, 09 December 2020 16:50
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met with the British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton and Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon, this week to discuss matters of bilateral importance.
The Minister addressed the mutual concern of security of countries, particularly in the context of the increasingly visible activities in the past few weeks by non-state actors engaged in glorification of terrorist acts of the LTTE, including suicide bombers. Serious note was taken by the envoys regarding the use of children in terrorist propaganda activities, leading to the radicalization of new generations of youth and children.
The High Commissioners conveyed the strong position of their governments that there was no tolerance for terrorist activities nor glorification of terrorism, in their countries, and the recent spate of acts of non-state entities in no way reflected a change in their official position on such matters.
Minister Gunawardena thanked the envoys for the continued commitment in the global fight against terrorism, including the commitment to ensure non-resurgence of the LTTE, which remains proscribed as a terrorist group in both the United Kingdom and Canada.
He noted that being Commonwealth countries, the relations between Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Canada are deep-rooted, steadfast and wide-ranging, and expressed confidence of continued close cooperation. The talks focused on the shared efforts of countries to support citizens and re-calibrated programmes to pursue economic development and support wellbeing of citizens in the context of the global pandemic, whilst welcoming news of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry joined Minister Gunawardena for the meetings.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
09 December 2020
STATE MINISTER FOR REGIONAL CO-OPERATION DELIVERS REMARKS AT AN EVENT ON “SWITCHING ON CROSS BORDER START UPS & INNOVATION” - 08 DECEMBER 2020
Wednesday, 09 December 2020 16:46
At the invitation of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore, State Minister for Regional Co-operation, Tharaka Balasuriya delivered a pre-recorded statement at 'Switching on Cross Border Start Ups & Innovation', an event organized jointly by the High Commission of Sri Lanka and GB Community Development (GBCDL) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore, on 08 December 2020. GBCDL is one of 19 consortium partners of the Global Technology Innovation Village established by the Asian Development Bank and Singapore Polytechnic, with a strong focus to support transboundary start-ups.
In his remarks, the State Minister reiterated on the robust ties between the two countries that have flourished over the years following the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1950. He further noted the importance of expanding trade, investment, cultural and educational relations and expressed hope that the goodwill between Sri Lanka and Singapore will further expand in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, State Minister Balasuriya also took the opportunity to express appreciation to the Government of Singapore for the assistance rendered in the health sector of Sri Lanka.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
09 December 2020
............................................
Speech by the State Minister for Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore - 08 December 2020
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
AYUBOWAN!
At the outset, I would like to convey my best wishes for the "Switching on Cross Border Start Ups & Innovation" event which is being held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Although it is not possible to attend this important event in person, it is my pleasure to celebrate the occasion together with all of you present, through this recorded congratulatory message.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Sri Lanka - Singapore relations, with the joint efforts of both sides, have withstood the test of time and the ever changing dynamics of global politics. I am pleased that high level exchanges and cooperation between our two countries have been frequent. This has led to the development of close cooperation in wide-ranging fields such as culture, education, and trade and investments.
I am confident that the friendship and co-operation between our two countries will continue to grow and deepen in the years ahead. I also take this opportunity to thank the Government of Singapore for the invaluable assistance extended towards Sri Lanka's fight against COVID-19 by donating healthcare and medical equipment, including COVID-19 test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.
In closing my remarks, I wish for the further development of Sri Lanka - Singapore relations and I hope to personally contribute to enhancing our bilateral relationship.
Thank you
The full video can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/mG_50umdPsA
REPUBLIC OF KOREA DONATES USD 300,000 WORTH ANTI COVID-19 TEST KITS TO MARK THE 43RD ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Wednesday, 09 December 2020 16:44
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Woonjin Jeong at a ceremony held in the Foreign Ministry on 08 December 2020, handed over a donation of USD 300,000 worth Real-Time PCR Test Kits to Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in commemoration of the 43rd anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea.
Addressing the handing over ceremony, Foreign Minister Gunawardena thanked the Republic of Korea for the generous contribution towards the COVID-19 containment efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka and highlighted that the traditional friendship between the two countries has flourished over time into a multifaceted partnership with economic cooperation as a key pillar. Acknowledging the exponential growth achieved by the Republic of Korea in the past decades, Foreign Minister Gunawardena sought the Republic of Korea’s expertise and support towards the development of rural economies and livelihoods in Sri Lanka with a special focus on the areas of aviation, shipping, health, agriculture, science & technology.
Ambassador Woonjin Jeong in his remarks stated that under the “Stay Strong” campaign, Korea and Sri Lanka have strengthened anti-COVID collaboration with each other. While expressing satisfaction at the ongoing development partnership between Sri Lanka and South Korea, the Ambassador invited Korean investors to explore more opportunities in Sri Lanka in key sectors including LNG, renewable energy, infrastructure and digital economy and more Korean tourists to come to Sri Lanka once the COVID-19 related travel restrictions are lifted.
State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Colombo were present at the event.
Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations on 14 November 1977.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
08 December 2020
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