Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, following her appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 19 November 2024. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion. 

A career Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer, Secretary Aruni Ranaraja counts 28 years of service in the Foreign Ministry. She has served both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lanka Missions abroad, in various capacities including as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Philippines. She also served as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Immediately prior to her appointment she served as Additional Secretary and Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since April 2024.

Mrs. Aruni Ranaraja holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the State University of Ukraine and Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the same University. In addition to her native languages, she is fluent in English and Russian, and  understands Japanese.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

19 November 2024

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today, 18 November 2024 at a simple ceremony. Senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

 As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. At the recently concluded General election, he was re-elected, obtaining the highest ever number of preferential votes in Parliamentary election history, in Sri Lanka.

 Minister Herath had also previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage, and immediately prior to re-election, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

 Colombo

18 November 2024

High Commissioner U. L. Mohammed Jauhar undertook an official visit to Toronto recently, following the presentation of credentials to the Governor General of Canada, accrediting him as the High Commissioner to Canada. During the visit, the High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Edith Dumont and also met with business and community leaders.

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar took the opportunity to brief the Lt. Governor on the recent developments in Sri Lanka, including on the election of the new President and the forthcoming general elections. He expressed his desire to work with the Province of Ontario and the Government of the Province, in strengthening the link with Sri Lanka since it being the home for several thousands of Sri Lankan origin Canadians and residents and wished that they be partners of development of their regions in Sri Lanka.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, the Lt. Governor observed that the diversity of the residents in the province makes it stronger and adds value to the economy and culture. She appreciated in particular the contribution of Sri Lankan Canadians for the economic development and towards its multilateral fabric and hoped that they will help further strengthen the relations of the two countries. The Lt. Governor, with her vast experience in the field of education, appreciated provision of free education by the Government of Sri Lanka to all its citizens up to university level in the language of their choice.

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar visited several Sri Lankan religious places of worship in Toronto, where he paid his respects to the venerable clergy and discussed opportunities for enhanced collaboration with the community.

During the visit, the High Commissioner also engaged with Sri Lankan community leaders, representatives of business chambers, Sri Lankan associations during a reception hosted in by Consul General Thushara Rodrigo at the Consulate in Toronto. At the event, High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar reiterated the new President's vision for unity and urged Sri Lankan Canadians to work together for the progress of Sri Lanka. He highlighted the importance of the Sri Lankan diaspora contributing to the nation's development, regardless of their ethnicity, religious affiliations or ideological differences, as citizens of Sri Lanka. He also held individual meetings with leaders of various associations to further strengthen ties with the community.

Sri Lanka  High Commission

Ottawa

28^th October 2024

The High Commission has been informed that the Department of Immigration & Emigration will reinstate the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system with effect from midnight of 26 September 2024 (Sri Lanka time).

Therefore, applications for ETA could be made through the following web link:

http://eta.gov.lk

Sri Lanka High commission, Ottawa
26 September 2024

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aruni Wijewardane following her appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties at the Ministry on 25 September 2024.

Previously, she has served as Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 20 May 2022.

A career foreign service officer, Secretary Wijewardane counts 36 years of service in the Foreign Ministry. She has held many positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo, at Sri Lanka Missions overseas and in international organizations.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane has an MPhil degree from the University of Cambridge, UK, where she was a British Chevening Scholar, a Master’s degree from the University of Colombo and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Australia.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

25 September 2024

Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath assumed duties at the Ministry today (25 September 2024) at a simple ceremony. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and senior officials of the Ministry were present.

As a Member of Parliament, Minister Herath has represented the Gampaha District since 2000. He had also previously served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage.

Minister Herath holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

25 September 2024

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High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada U. L. Mohammed Jauhar presented his Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon. The ceremony was held at the Rideau Hall, the Official Residence of the Governor General, on September 13 2024, for seven new Heads of Mission who are accredited to Canada.

Welcoming the new Heads of Mission, the Governor General stated that the ceremony was a reminder of the importance of strong diplomatic ties and it reaffirmed the commitment to working together to address the most pressing global issues. At the tête-à-tête with the Governor General, High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar emphasized his priority to work with the Global Affairs Canada in further strengthening the bilateral ties. He also highlighted the need to further reach out to the Sri Lankan-origin residents in Canada.

Following the presentation of Letters of Credence, a vin d’honneur was held at the Official Residence, where members of Canadian Parliament, senior officials of the Global Affairs Canada, members of the diplomatic corps, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Toronto, Honorary Consuls in Quebec and Nova Scotia and community members participated.

The new High Commissioner, with over 28 years of service as a member of the Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. His career includes significant diplomatic roles, such as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Kuwait and Consul General in Toronto. He has also served at Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions in Geneva, Islamabad, and Washington, D.C. Previously at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar served in different capacities, including as Additional Secretary and Acting Secretary.

High Commissioner Mohammed Jauhar holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya, and a Bachelor’s honours degree in Agriculture from the Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

High Commission of Sri Lanka

Ottawa

18 September 2024