Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a joint video conference on COVID-19 response involving his counterparts from China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan held today, 27 April 2021. The discussions focused on consolidating COVID-19 response cooperation and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery as well as poverty alleviation amidst the recent spike in COVID-19 infections.

During his remarks, Minister Gunawardena underlined the critical need for active cooperation in effectively responding to COVID-19. The Foreign Minister also outlined the importance of addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in a manner that helps countries to take forward national priorities in economic recovery and uplifting rural livelihoods.

Furthermore, Minister Gunawardena reiterated that taking appropriate measures to maintain a steady and equitable flow of critical medical equipment, medicine, and vaccines to nations in need, under the guidance of the UN and WHO was essential to contain the epidemic and avoid relapses.

The participants expressed the view that effective response should have at its core, a process to addressissues on supply of emergency needs during natural and other disasters, the use of technology and other tools and platforms for poverty alleviation in the rural economies.

The counterparts from countries that participated included State Councilor Wang Yi (China), Mirwais Nab (Afghanistan), A.K Abdul Memon (Bangladesh), Pradeep Kumar Gyawali (Nepal) and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Pakistan).

Foreign Ministry

27 April 2021

The Foreign Ministry has taken steps to repatriate the 12 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Myanmar, tomorrow (23). The Foreign Ministry stated that the fishermen were released after several rounds of talks with the Government of Myanmar. They will be flown from Yangon in Myanmar to Singapore tomorrow on Singapore Airlines flight SQ761 and will be flown to Colombo on Singapore Airlines flight SQ468 from Singapore. The following persons have been released from custody in Myanmar: A.C.I. Fernando, L.A. Nirmitha Srilal, H.S. Chaminda, H.S. Jayantha, D.K.S.S. Hemachandra, D.M.K. Madushanka, K.M. Fernando, S. Nanayakkara, W.N. Fernando, T.K.N. Peiris, J.K.S. Lal Perera and W.A.S. Fernando.

Arrangements have been made to quarantine the fishermen under current health procedures.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

22 April 2021

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met the Colombo-based senior diplomatic representation of the European Union (EU) on Friday, 09 April 2021 at the Foreign Ministry, and apprised them on political and economic developments in Sri Lanka.  The Minister updated the envoys of ongoing processes, including the constitutional reform process, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and on progress related to the implementation of reconciliation mechanisms, among other issues.

The meeting was interactive and also entailed a discussion on EU-Sri Lanka cooperation, including trade, investment and development cooperation, and plans underway to convene the scheduled Sri Lanka-EU Joint Commission Sub-committees following the convening of the 23rd Meeting of the Sri Lanka-EU Joint Commission in January 2021.  Measures in place for the revival of tourism in Sri Lanka in the COVID -19 /post-COVID -19 context, and the Government of Sri Lanka health protocols related to quarantine were also discussed.

The Ambassador of France Eric Lavertu; the Ambassador Italy Rita Mannella, the Chargé d’Affaires of Romania Ambassador Victor Chiujdea; as well as the Deputy Heads of Mission of Germany, the Netherlands and the EU participated in the meeting.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

10 April 2021

The Foreign Ministry is pleased to inform that a gazette notification to recruit 40 eligible candidates to join the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) is now published.

The Gazette Notification No. 2,223 dated 9 April 2021 can be accessed at http://www.documents.gov.lk/files/gz/2021/4/2021-04-09(I-IIA)E.pdf.

Members to the Foreign Service are selected every few years through an open competitive recruitment exam conducted by the Department of Examinations as per the rules and regulations formulated by the Public Service Commission, which is the appointing authority of SLFS Officers.

The successful applicants who are selected to join the Service will have the opportunity to serve in the Foreign Ministry and will have the privilege of representing Sri Lanka in 67 Sri Lanka Missions abroad.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) is a distinct public service in Sri Lanka established in 1949. It is the body of career diplomats of Sri Lanka.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

09 April 2021