Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Address by President Maithripala Sirisena of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the 67th Anniversary of Independence at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte on February 04, 2015

Thursday, 05 February 2015 20:20

Ven. Members of the Maha Sangha,

Reverend Clergy of other faiths,

Hon. Prime Minister,

Hon. Speaker,

Hon. Ministers and Members of Parliament,

Hon. Governors,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

My Dear Friends,

As we celebrate this 67th anniversary of the dawn of Independence, after nearly two centuries as a nation subject to colonial rule, it is most fortunate that I am able to address you at this historic city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, today.

This occasion is of special significance because we commemorate the dawn of freedom at a time coincident with the taking of clear and resolute steps to firmly establish democracy and good governance, the Rule of Law, and a truly meaningful parliamentary system; to establish a long lasting and stable structure of good governance in keeping with the mandate given by the people at the recent presidential election.

US Assistant Secretary of State Biswal meets Foreign Minister Samaraweera

Monday, 02 February 2015 22:34

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held official talks with visiting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia of the USA, Ms. Nisha Biswal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Assistant Secretary Biswal reviewed a range of bilateral issues. She conveyed the US Government’s desire to work closely with the newly elected government of President Maithripala Sirisena.

New Chief Justice sworn in

Saturday, 31 January 2015 00:00

Justice K. Sripavan, the senior judge in the Supreme Court took his oaths as the new Chief Justice before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today (30).

Justice Sripavanwas born on 29 February 1952. He was educated at Jaffna Hindu College between 1962 and 1972. He joined Ceylon Law College in 1974 and passed out as an attorney at law in 1976, obtaining a first class in the Intermediate Examination.

Canada welcomes reinstatement of Shirani as CJ

Saturday, 31 January 2015 00:00

Canadian Government said it welcomed the reinstatement of Shirani Bandaranayake as Chief Justice of the Sri Lankan Supreme Court.

“Canada welcomes the reinstatement of Shirani Bandaranayake as Chief Justice of the Sri Lankan Supreme Court. In January 2013, at the time of the Chief Justice’s impeachment, I expressed deep concern about the opaque and politicized nature of her impeachment, an action that severely undermined the legitimacy of the rule of law in Sri Lanka,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said.

Shirani’s swansong

Friday, 30 January 2015 00:00

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CJ 43 says her fight was battle for judicial independence, integrity

On her final day on the bench of the Supreme Court, 24 hours after her reinstatement as lawful Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake speaks out for the first time on the ‘turmoil and peril’ of the past two years since her impeachment. She told the ceremonial chamber that was packed to capacity that over the past 746 days since the impeachment watching the downfall of the Supreme Court had been as painful of the personal impact of her unlawful sacking.

Former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake resigned from her post yesterday – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

British Foreign Office Minister Swire meets Minister Samaraweera

Friday, 30 January 2015 17:17

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held talks with visiting British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Hugo Swire at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Minister Swire stated that the purpose of his visit was to convey the UK Government’s desire to work closely with the newly elected government of President Maithripala Sirisena and to convey a special message from Prime Minister David Cameron.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera visits Brussels

Thursday, 29 January 2015 16:45

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Foreign Minister Samaraweera with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Didier Reynders

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, concluded a two day official visit to Brussels today.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Didier Reynders and members of the European Parliament. He also held talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, Mr. Karmenu Vella, and the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica.