Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

A joint stamp release ceremony was held at the Foreign Ministry, Sri Lanka on 27 July to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties which took place on the same day in 1970. This milestone event was held with the participation of the Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, joining virtually.

The two stamps ceremonially unveiled at the event, were especially designed for the occasion to depict the theme “Marine Conservation”, and showcase the restoration of Coral Ecosystem in Sri Lanka, and Mangroves in Singapore and reflects the shared interest and commitment of both countries in protecting the marine environment.

Speaking at the occasion, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena highlighted the long standing friendly relations between the two countries, nurtured by deep rooted linkages at community and societal levels. He recalled his meeting with Minister Balakrishnan when both were holding different portfolios and the discussions held on tackling challenges posed by climate change across the globe. The Minister Gunawardena said further that the unveiling of commemorative postage stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, undoubtedly shows the great warmth and friendship that exist between the two countries.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, in his remarks, spoke on the warm and long-standing nature of Singapore-Sri Lanka relations. He noted the close and meaningful cooperation between our two countries, including during this COVID-19 period.

The event was attended by the former Sri Lanka High Commissioners who served in Singapore, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Nimal Weerarathna, Ferial Ashraff and Hony. Consul of Singapore in Sri Lanka Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Singaporean business community in Sri Lanka, Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media, Officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Department of Posts.

Meanwhile in Singapore, a ceremony was held at the Shangri La a few hours prior to the Colombo event where High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore Sashikala Premawardhane and Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore Chandra Das unveiled the two stamps in the presence of Director-General of the South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Gilbert Oh. Deputy Director of Postal & Consumer Policy, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) Ruth Wong, and Vice President Philately & Stamps Peggy Teo together with several other officials of MFA, IMDB, SingPost and the High Commission of Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Ministry extends its appreciation and congratulations to the Government of Singapore, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, SingPost, and the Department of Post of Sri Lanka and to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore for the successful issuance of the commemorative stamps marking 50 years of friendship between Sri Lanka and Singapore.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

27 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/joint-stamp-sl-sin/)

The Government of New Zealand with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Michael Edward Appleton as the first High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 22 July 2021 at 10.30 a.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

22 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/new-zealand-sl/)

The Government of the Republic of Cuba with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Andrés Marcelo Garrido as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka in Succession of H.E. (Ms.) Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 22 July 2021 at 10.30 a.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

22 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/cuba-sl/)

In line with the mandate of the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation to enhance economic relations with the Middle-East, State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya held a phone discussion with Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

This discussion was initiated to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic ties in the Middle-East region. The two Ministers explored means of enhancing economic relations, including trade and investment between the two countries. During the discussion, State Minister Balasuriya highlighted the investment opportunities at the Port City of Colombo; the gateway to South Asia and invited Bahraini investors to seize abundant offerings of this special economic zone.

Minister Al-Zayani elaborated on the procedures that the Bahraini government had implemented to bolster the country’s economy, which has made it a favored destination for regional and international investors.

The Ministers also discussed several areas of mutual interest, including cooperation in the areas of tourism, the creative economy, where Small and Medium Enterprises play a key role, and in the multilateral arena.

The discussion was facilitated by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain Pradeepa Saram.

State Ministry of Regional Cooperation

Colombo

19 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sm-sl-bahrain/)

The Ambassador of Myanmar to Sri Lanka U Han Thu called on the Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on 16 July.

The Foreign Minister Gunawardena emphasized on the longstanding Sri Lanka Myanmar fraternal bilateral ties and shared history based on Buddhist links over centuries. He reiterated the establishment of the Amarapura and Ramanna Nikaya in Sri Lanka in 1803 and 1865 respectively are the testimonies of the bilateral relations between the two countries. Ambassador Thu endorsing the comments stated that more than 400 Buddhist priest from Myanmar are currently studying in Sri Lanka.

Both dignitaries agreed that political relations between the two countries have been fruitful over the years through various mechanisms and in particular underscored the importance of rejuvenating the Sri Lanka Myanmar parliamentary Friendship Group.

The Foreign Minister Gunawardena thanked the Myanmar Government for the annual offers of the Honorary Title ‘Aggamaha Panditha’ to erudite Sri Lankan Priests which is a symbol of the friendly ties based on Theravada Buddhism.

Minister Gunawardena further noted that it is important that both countries look at possible areas for economic cooperation in the post COVID phase and highlighted areas such as the coconut industry, agriculture, Buddhist tourism, rubber, and shipping.

The meeting was associated by officials of the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka and the Embassy of Myanmar in Colombo.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

19 July 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/fm-sl-myanmar/)

In line with the mandate of the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation to enhance economic relations with the Middle-East, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, held virtual deliberations with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman Qais bin Mohammad Al Yousef on 14 July, 2021.

During the discussion, State Minister Balasuriya highlighted the trade and investment opportunities generated from the Port City of Colombo and its Special Economic Zone. He also elaborated upon the investment potential in other sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, renewable energy, food and information technology.  With regard to the promotion of foreign employment, the State Minister Balasuriya also explored the potential for trained Sri Lankan healthcare workers to be employed in Oman.

Highlighting Oman’s initiatives to promote investment and trade, Minister Al-Yousef emphasized the potential of Oman being a transit hub and gateway to Africa, the Middle East and the USA through their FTAs. He added this would open avenues for Sri Lanka to utilize Oman as a hub for re-exportation. The Minister also pledged to explore the prospect of employing Sri Lankan skilled workers in the healthcare sector.

Both Ministers welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the national Chambers of Commerce of the two countries and the ongoing discussion between relevant authorities of both countries to establish a direct container service between the Ports of Colombo and Sohar.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman O.L Ameer Ajwad also elaborated on the growing momentum in bilateral trade and investments between the two countries, including enhanced exports from Sri Lanka.

Undersecretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman Asila bint Salim Al-Samsamiyah and Advisors to the Minister participated from Omani side. Associated with the State Minister was Secretary to the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation A. Senanayake, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman O.L Ameer Ajwad and Director General of the State Ministry of Regional Cooperation Savitri Panabokke.

State Ministry of Regional Cooperation

Colombo

19 July, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sm-sl-oman/)