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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
LEADING THE IORA MARITIME SAFETY AND SECURITY WORKING GROUP, SRI LANKA FINALIZES THE SECOND WORK PLAN FOR 2022 TO 2026
Saturday, 27 March 2021 20:30
The 2nd Meeting of the IORA Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (IORA WGMSS) chaired by Sri Lanka, was held virtually from 18 to 19 March 2021 with the virtual participation of delegates representing the IORA Member States and the IORA Secretariat.
The Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage inaugurated the meeting on the 18 March 2021, and highlighted that the time is opportune to translate our discussions on maritime safety and security issues into action. He referred to the maritime crime trinity – narcotics, human and weapon trafficking, which is increasing, despite numerous initiatives by the Global Maritime Crimes Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and several other regional and international entities and national governments. He further emphasized the alarming 40% of fishing that comes from IUU Fishing, in the Indian Ocean, quoting a UN Food and Agriculture Organization Report. Further, the Foreign Secretary noted the Impact of IUU fishing on the marine environment and the sustainable management of fisheries resources. He detailed how fishing boats are involved in the increase in trafficking and pollution in the marine environment, recalling the dead zone of 60,000 square kilometres in the Bay of Bengal, and the large garbage patch in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. “With humans releasing at least 8 million metric tons of plastic every year to the oceans, soon there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, resulting in unhealthy scenarios”.
He further added “now, again, I have to say that I do see another three trends emerging or already emerged in the Indian Ocean. Number one, the politicisation of the maritime trade; number two, the politicisation of maritime-related infrastructure and number three, increased militarisation of the Indian Ocean” and emphasized that “we need international rules-based maritime order and enhance maritime trade connectivity as there is a huge asymmetry in the Indian Ocean Region”.
The Foreign Secretary expressed his confidence that Sri Lanka is looking forward to continuing its leadership role in the next tenure as the lead country for the IORA – WGMSS, and that Sri Lanka is also looking forward to playing an effective role to benefit the IORA family, during its tenure as Vice-Chair which is expected to begin around the fourth quarter of 2021, for enhanced regional cooperation within the Indian Ocean Region.
Acting Secretary General of IORA Dr. Gunawan H. Gatot joining the Inauguration virtually extended his sincere appreciation to the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka for the exceptional arrangements made to host the second meeting of the IORA WGMSS in a hybrid format, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic challenges.
He further reiterated “"Prevention cannot depend on anticipating how threats to maritime safety and security will evolve. During these ongoing challenging times, we must recognize the opportunity to enhance cooperation through stronger partnerships, and, effective coordination and planning. I hope that today, through this hybrid Meeting, we can engage in constructive discussions on the way forward to review and update the current IORA WGMSS Work Plan, and to share best practices that strengthen cooperation within the Maritime Safety and Security Framework of IORA."
The Inaugural Ceremony was held in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and was attended by Heads of Missions and or other diplomats of IORA Member States and Dialogue Partner countries based in Colombo, UN Resident Coordinator, Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (GMCP-UNODC) and senior officials from other stakeholder agencies related to maritime safety and security.
The meeting was chaired by Director General of Ocean Affairs, Environment & Climate Change of the Foreign Ministry Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake.
Prior to the meeting, on 17 March 2021, an informal virtual meeting was held to discuss the Agenda and modalities by the 08 Cluster Group Member States of IORA WGMSS, represented by 20 delegates. Cluster Group comprises of Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and United Arab Emirates.
An introductory session was held to stimulate the participating Member State representatives on Maritime Safety and Security issues. The session included a presentation by Head of GMCP – UNODC Alan Cole on “The Emerging Threats to Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region” and on “Maritime Safety and Security: Challenges and Solutions from Stable Seas Perspective” by Stable Seas Organization Jay Benson. This introductory session was moderated by Commander of the Eastern Naval Area and Chief Hydrographer of Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Y. N. Jayarathna.
44 delegates joined virtually representing 15 Member States out of 23, and discussed the succeeding Work Plan of IORA WGMSS for the period of 2022 – 2026. Deliberations involved taking into consideration drawbacks in the earlier Work Plan, in terms of format, implementation responsibilities and the COVID 19 pandemic, as well as new activities proposed by the Member States. The Work Plan for 2022 to 2026 was finalized with more specific activities and individual Member States and or the IORA Secretariat taking responsibility for each activity which was considered, as more pragmatic in moving forward. It also included unconcluded activities from the 2019 – 2021 Work Plan.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
26 March 2021
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY’S INTERVIEW ON DEUTSCHE WELLE (DW) ‘CONFLICT ZONE’ - 01/04/2021
Saturday, 27 March 2021 20:28
FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA MEETS CDA OF ROMANIA TO REVIEW BILATERAL COOPERATION
Tuesday, 23 March 2021 15:11
The Chargé d’Affaires of Romania, resident in Colombo, Ambassador Victor Chiujdea, met Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Friday, 19 March at the Foreign Ministry. The parties reviewed bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres, with a focus on trade, investment, tourism, foreign employment and agriculture.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to further consolidating the warm and friendly relations between the two countries spanning sixty four years, Foreign Minister Gunawardena reiterated the intent of the Government to open a resident Mission of Sri Lanka in Romania in the near future.
The Minister appreciated Romania’s partnership with Sri Lanka in the provision of employment opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals in a range of sectors, and welcomed the potential to further expand this cooperation in the future. Ambassador Chiujdea reaffirmed Romania’s interest to broaden cooperation in the employment sector, and indicated that Sri Lankan workers are held in high esteem in Romania, due to their superior skills and adaptability.
The parties focused on the expansion of bilateral trade and investment opportunities, including greater utilization of the EU GSP+ facility, and cooperation in the tourism sector, given the increasing trend of tourist arrivals from Romania to Sri Lanka, and to South Asia.
The discussion also covered review of shared interests in the regional and multilateral spheres, the exchange of high level visits, as well as identification of potential sectors for future cooperation.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
23 March 2021
FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA MEETS AFGHANISTAN AMBASSADOR TO DISCUSS BILATERAL ISSUES
Tuesday, 23 March 2021 15:09
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met with the Afghanistan Ambassador in Sri Lanka Ashraf Haidari on 19 March 2021, at the Foreign Ministry for bilateral discussions.
Ambassador Haidari provided a briefing to Foreign Minister Gunawardena on the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan and conveyed his country’s aspirations for a successful outcome. While wishing Afghanistan to achieve durable peace and security, Foreign Minister Gunawardena unequivocally condemned the recent acts of terrorism in Kabul, which resulted in several civilians deaths.
The two dignitaries agreed to continue the current momentum of bilateral engagements with their strong commitment for enhanced relations. As an immediate step, Minister Gunawardena and Ambassador Haidari agreed to commence the Foreign Office Political Consultations by concluding the proposed Memorandum of Understanding next month, which the Cabinet of Ministers in Sri Lanka already endorsed. There was consensus that expeditious action would be taken in respect of the other bilateral instruments, which include an Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons, an Air Services Agreement and two MoUs respectively on Diplomatic Visa Waiver and Defence Cooperation.
Both sides shared the sentiment that being close neighbours, as well as Members of the SAARC, the future potential in trade and economic cooperation must be explored through the relevant trade chambers in the two countries. Ambassador Haidari invited Sri Lanka side to explore the high potential areas for bilateral trade, including tea, gem and jewellery, dry fruits, nuts and cereals, while proposing to establish direct aviation connectivity between the two countries.
Further, Ambassador Haidari invited Minister Gunawardena to undertake an official visit to Afghanistan, including to the regions of Buddhist heritage, such as Bamiyan.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
22 March 2021
FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA MEETS WITH PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSIONER IN COLOMBO
Wednesday, 17 March 2021 20:50
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met with Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak on 16 March 2021 at the Foreign Ministry to further discuss the avenues to expand the bilateral relationship pursuant to the recent visit to Sri Lanka by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Both sides agreed to expeditiously implement the projects which were announced during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan, including the setting up of mobile libraries donated by Pakistan and the offer of additional hundred medical scholarships to Sri Lankan students.
Minister Gunawardena, while welcoming the offer by Pakistan to open Buddhist pilgrim sites for Sri Lankans, conveyed that the aviation sector, along with Sri Lanka tourism would announce Pakistan - Sri Lanka sector travel packages soon. The Pakistan High Commissioner invited Buddhist monks, journalists and academics to undertake familiarization visits to Pakistan to witness the diversity of well-preserved Buddhist heritage sites.
High Commissioner Khattak extended an invitation for Minister Gunawardena to attend the Pakistan National Day celebrations on 23 March 2021 in Colombo.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
17 March 2021
MEDIA STATEMENT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY-16 MARCH 2021
Wednesday, 17 March 2021 03:22
Recent media reports have highlighted statements made in regard to a proposal to ban the wearing of the burqa and niqab in Sri Lanka.
Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage has said that a decision has not been taken by the Government to impose such a ban and it is merely a proposal, which is under discussion. This proposal has been based on the precautionary measures that are needed on national security grounds, following the investigations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on Easter Sunday attacks.
The Government will initiate a broader dialogue with all parties concerned and sufficient time will be taken for necessary consultations to be held and for consensus to be reached.
16 March 2021
MEDIA STATEMENT-THE EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA IN BEIJING , 13 MARCH 2021
Sunday, 14 March 2021 00:22
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing became aware of the misuse of the image of Sri Lanka flag on “Non-Slip Doormat” produced in China.
Immediately upon receiving the information, the Embassy informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and requested it to take action to stop the production of door mats and any such products, misusing the Sri Lanka flag. The company which marketed the product on Amazon was requested by letter from the Embassy to immediately cease selling the door mats and any such products, misusing the Sri Lanka flag. The advertisement has been removed from Amazon now.
This Embassy is closely monitoring this matter and will take appropriate action through the relevant authorities in China to stop the production and selling of any product with the image of Sri Lanka the flag.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
13 March 2021
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