Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

“The increased occurrence of disasters in the regions not only threatens to roll back hard earned development gains, but also the achievement of the development goals. In respect to the core responsibilities related to natural disasters and climate change, it is the prime responsibility of the governments as humanitarian actors to serve the vulnerable members of the society, especially, women, children and elderly, who are in need of assistance.  In thıs regard, Sri Lanka is committed to reaching out these vulnerable group members in tımes of crises” stated Minister Nimal Siriplala de Silva, Minister of Transport who lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the First World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), held in Istanbul, Turkey on 24th May 2016.

Read more: Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva heads the Sri Lankan delegation at the First World Humanitarian Summit

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, together with the Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and the Minister of Health & Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne briefed the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations based in Colombo, on the flood and landslide situation in the country, yesterday Thursday 19 May 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Samaraweera expressed appreciation to the international community for their messages of condolence and assistance to victims.

Read more: Ministers brief Diplomatic Community on Flood Situation

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in New Delhi today. President Sirisena was received on arrival by the Indian Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Esala Weerakoon, and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, India.

Read more: Visit of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka to India 13-14 May 2016

The Canada – Sri Lanka Friendship Group in the Canadian Parliament was formed on the 11^th of May. The election of office bearers was presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon. Anthony Rota. Pascale Massot, Policy Advisor to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stephane Dion, was also present. 30 members of Parliament and Senators joined as members. Yasmin Ratansi MP for Don Valley East, a veteran politician from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party was elected Chairperson. 

Read more: Sri Lanka Friendship Group in the Canadian Parliament

In an effort to make it easier for the overseas Sri Lankan communities to fund micro-projects in rural communities in Sri Lanka, the Policy Development Office (PDO) of the Prime Minister’s Office is hosting a website to provide information on village-markets in need of essential infrastructure. This website can be accessed via http://villagefair.pmoffice.gov.lk and provides a mechanism to link those who want to help develop Sri Lanka directly with village markets in need of essential infrastructure, especially in rural communities around the island.

Currently, information on the village-fairs of ten Districts is available on the website. The needs of individual village-markets are listed. Village-markets that receive funds are obligated to follow up on the progress of each micro-project. Photographs of the completed micro-project will be uploaded to the website to maximize transparency.

Please find below detailed information on this initiative in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

For feedback, questions and/or additional information, prospective donors may contact the PDO at the following:

Website: http://villagefair.pmoffice.gov.lk

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/weeklyvillagefair

Feedback/contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Information in Sinhala

Information in Tamil

Information in English

The EU-Sri Lanka Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation met on 11 May 2016 in Brussels. The meeting, held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, was co-chaired by Mrs. Sonali Wijeratne, Director General of Commerce, for Sri Lanka and Mr. Peter Berz, Head of Unit, European Commission Directorate General for Trade, for the EU. 

Following the successful State Visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to Austria in February, 2016 and his meeting with business leaders, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is sending a 20 member High Level Business Delegation to Colombo to explore prospects for investment and enhanced trade. The delegation will be in Colombo from the 11^th to 14^th May, 2016. 

Read more: High Level Austrian Business Delegation arriving in Colombo on 11th May, 2016