Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Statement to the media by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs after the official talks with the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier 22 September 2015

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, 

I have just concluded a meeting with the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. This is Minister Steinmeier’s first visit to Sri Lanka and we are indeed honoured and happy to welcome this distinguished minister to our country. I also hope that this visit will allow me to reciprocate the warm and cordial hospitality extended to me when I visited Berlin a few months ago in May. 

Read more: Statement to the media by Foreign Minister Samaraweera after the official talks with German Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier

Statement by

 Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, MP

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

General Debate of the 30^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, 14 September 2015

Mr. President

High Commissioner for Human Rights

Excellencies

Distinguished delegates 

I would like to begin by thanking you, and the members of the Council for the trust reposed in Sri Lanka at the 28^th Session and agreeing to defer the release of the Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka.

Read more: Statement by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, at the 30th Session of the UNHRC - Geneva

On the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will undertake an Official visit to India from 14^th to 16^th September 2015.

Read more: Visit of Prime Minister Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe to India

Ahmed A. Jawad presented his Credentials as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Governor General David Johnston of Canada at a ceremony held at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa on 10^th September. 

At an audience that followed the presentation, the new High Commissioner among other matters, briefed the Governor General on recent developments in Sri Lanka, including the Presidential and General Elections, and the emergence of a consensus based political culture in the country characterized by an all-inclusive approach. This he said included an engagement with the large Sri Lankan diaspora around the world comprising all communities. 

Read more: New Sri Lankan Envoy Presents Credentials in Canada

Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva assumed duties as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today, Friday 11th September 2015.

The Deputy Minister was received at the Ministry by the Secretary of the Ministry and other senior officials. A religious ceremony was held at the Ministry prior to his assuming duties.

Read more: Dep. Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha to focus on Economic Diplomacy

It is with profound grief and sorrow that we learnt about the death of forty - five soldiers from Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates in Yemen while contributing to restore security and stability of the country.

It was indeed unfortunate that this news reached us soon after the visit of H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka. 

The Government and the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka express their heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates on this tragic incident. 

The Government of Sri Lanka hopes that peace and normalcy will be restored in the region as soon as possible. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo 

9^th September 2015