Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today (19 August).  The State Minister was received by Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage and other senior officials, upon his arrival at the Ministry. Religious observances were conducted to invoke blessings prior to the assumption of duties.

State Minister Balasuriya, addressing the gathering of senior officials and staff of the Ministry, following the assumption of duties, highlighted the importance of regional co-operation within Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and the necessity of exploring potential to attract investment to the country through regional co-operation. He reiterated that Sri Lanka will maintain close relations with neighbouring countries, especially within the Asian region with whom Sri Lanka has been maintaining close and friendly ties.

The State Minister also highlighted that he is looking forward to working closely with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the officials of the Ministry in achieving the foreign policy objectives of the country under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Welcoming the State Minister, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Colombage extended congratulations on the new appointment and also highlighted the Foreign Ministry’s contribution to the development of Sri Lanka’s economic sector while maintaining the friendly neighbourhood foreign policy through regional co-operation.

State Minister Balasuriya was first elected to Parliament in 2015 and held the State Ministerial portfolio of Social Security following the establishment of the new Government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in November 2019.

Previously, he was a member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, for which he was elected in the year 2012.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

19 August 2020

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry on Monday 17 August 2020.

Minister Gunawardena was received by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and other senior officials upon his arrival at the Ministry. Following multi-religious observances, the Minister officially assumed duties.

Later, addressing the staff, the Foreign Minister remarked that the Government is ready to rise up to the new challenges with the mandate given by the people of Sri Lanka. The Minister stressed that with a strong government in office and its non-aligned and friendly foreign policy, it is envisioned to bring about a number of key changes beneficial to the country. He also called upon the Sri Lankans overseas to join hands with the government in this endeavour.

Outlining the Government’s efforts to address issues arising in the post-Covid-19 era, the Minister highlighted that Sri Lanka is geared to achieve its economic goals within the upcoming years. In this context, the Minister stated that the Department of Commerce has also been brought under the purview of the Foreign Ministry with a view to enhancing the exports, investments and entrepreneurship of Sri Lankans.

Welcoming the Minister, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Colombage highlighted the successful role played by the Foreign Ministry towards curbing and containing the spread of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka. Speaking on the three pillars of the President’s vision: National Security, Economic Development and Foreign Relations, Secretary Colombage expressed confidence that the newly appointed Foreign Minister’s vision will definitely contribute to positively projecting Sri Lanka, internationally.

The Minister pledged his fullest support to strengthen the role played by the Foreign Service and the Foreign Ministry and thereby to fulfil the foreign policy objectives of the newly appointed government.

 Foreign Ministry

Colombo

17 August 2020

Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage (PhD) assumed duties as the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry today (14 August) following the appointment to the position by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The new Foreign Secretary Admiral Colombage was warmly received by the senior officials of the Foreign Ministry this morning, upon arrival at the Ministry.

Admiral Colombage was previously Additional Secretary to H.E the President for Foreign Relations since December 2019. In addition, he is presently serving as the Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka.

Admiral Colombage has served the Sri Lanka Navy for a period of 36 years and retired as the Commander of the Navy on 01 July 2014. He is the 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and was decorated for gallantry and commended for exceptional service to the Navy.

Upon retirement from the Navy, Admiral Colombage served as the Director for Indo-Sri Lanka Initiatives and Law of the Sea Centers at the Pathfinder Foundation, which is a premier think-tank and research centre, based in Colombo. He has represented the Pathfinder Foundation and Sri Lanka in many bi-lateral, regional and international fora, presenting papers, participating in panel discussions and chairing sessions on international politics, strategic  and maritime security related fields.

Admiral Colombage has been a guest lecturer in universities and training institutes  in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan and Pakistan. He has also been an editor and reviewer of a number of internationally renowned academic journals.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Colombage holds  a PhD from General Sir John Kotalawela University, Master of Science  in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University and Master of Arts in International Studies from Kings College, London.  His PhD thesis “Asymmetric Warfare at Sea;  the case of Sri Lanka” has been published by Lambert Academic Publishing in Germany.  He is also a fellow of Nautical Institute of London.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

14 August 2020