Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama on the invitation of the Sri Lanka-Canada Association Ottawa (SLCAO), was the Chief Guest at the Sri Lankan Community Festive Dinner Dance held at the St. Isidore Church Hall in Kanata on 5^th January 2019.

In his addressed at the event, High Commissioner Girihagama stated that the SLCAO which began functioning 43 years ago with about 138 members is a well established community organization in Ottawa. He noted that the Association has been carrying out many charitable activities including helping flood victims in Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner also commended the Senior Group of the SLCAO for the various events they have continued to conduct including meditation, religious programmes, etc for their members.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama participated in special religious observances organized separately by the three Buddhist temples in Ottawa consisting of the Ottawa Buddhist Vihara, Hilda Jayewardenaramaya and the Ottawa Theravada Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Center in Orleans, during the course of 1^st January 2019.

High Commissioner Girihagama in his address at the temples, in the Sinhala and English languages, expressed his appreciation to the Chief Incumbents for their commitment in carrying out their religious duties with limited facilities and funds. He appreciated the weekly religious programmes, such as Dhamma schools, meditation classes and religious discussions etc., conducted by the three temples.

He acknowledged the support extended by the Government of Canada in granting religious freedom enabling the functioning of the temples and other religious places. The High Commissioner also paid tribute to the devotees for their support extended to the temples.

The High Commissioner was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Sudarma Girihagama and staff of the High Commission.    

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

2^nd January 2019

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama and staff members attended the Christmas celebrations organized by the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group and addressed the invitees on 22^nd December 2018.

At the celebration that was held at the St. John the Apostle Church, High Commissioner Girihagama commended the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group for their dedication in bringing the community together to celebrate Christmas, which is celebrated in many parts of the world.  He noted that Christmas is not only religious event and it has cultural dimensions which strengthen bonds between family members as well as communities.  High Commission participates and encourages religious and cultural events such as Thai Pongal, Avurudu, Vesak, Eid, Deepavali and Christmas annually to bring harmony, peace and friendship among the communities.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama met Hon. Yasmin Ratansi, MP, senior member of the Federal Parliament from the ruling Liberal Party and the Chair of the Canada -Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, on 12^th December 2018.

During the meeting, High Commissioner Girihagama briefed Hon. Ratansi on the current political situation in Sri Lanka, bilateral relations between Sri Lanka - Canada, reconciliation and democracy.

The High Commissioner also discussed the need to further enhance the promotion of trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Canada and referred to Hon. Ratansi’s visit to  Sri Lanka in March 2017, when she led the Canada – Sri Lanka Business Convection 2017 delegation with 21 business leaders and two Canadian Members of Parliament. MP Ratansi visited Sri Lanka again when she led a delegation of Canadian Parliamentarians to Sri Lanka as the Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in November 2017.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

12^th December 2018