Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

The Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Council briefed the Council today on progress made in addressing human rights concerns, national security imperatives, as well as reconciliation priorities.  Sri Lanka’s intervention under Agenda Item 2 of the Council, followed the Oral Update provided by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet at the opening of the 41^st Session of the Human Rights Council on 24 June 2019, where a reference was made to Sri Lanka.

Clarifying the latest situation in the Country following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and its aftermath, Sri Lanka stated that it has made significant progress in assuring the security of all Sri Lankans and upholding law and order through the implementation of relevant laws and legal processes, among other important measures.

Sri Lanka further asserted that the national institutions in Sri Lanka continued to make interventions on issues pertaining to violence and extremism, as the Government pursued effective measures that have led to the dismantling of terrorist networks in the Country.

Statement is attached.

 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

 25 June 2019

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Statement by the Delegation of Sri Lanka on the Oral Update of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at 41^st Session of the HRC

Mr. President, distinguished delegates,

We are pleased to take the floor under Agenda Item 2 in relation to the Oral Update presented by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Madam Michelle Bachelet, to the 41^st Session of the Human Rights Council.

We share with the High Commissioner the broad concerns expressed on several important issues where human security and human rights are at stake. We note in this context, a number of significant comments made on the role of the national human rights institutions, implementation of a strategy and action plan on hate speech, rights of migrants and statelessness, as well as concerns relating to the use of digital technology to the detriment of human rights. These are areas where we would continue to extend our cooperation to the respective human rights mechanisms in advancing further dialogue and positive outcomes.

Mr. President, in her Oral Update, the High Commissioner also referred to the current developments in Sri Lanka, and in this regard, we wish to draw the attention of this Council to the following points:

Read more: Sri Lanka Updates HRC on Human Rights Measures taken to advance Human Rights, Peace and Security

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated for the fourth time, at the ‘Rata Wenuwen Ekata Sitimu’ national programme, held under the guidance of President Maithripala Sirisena, with the aim of providing swift and sustainable solutions for issues faced by the general public.

As part of this national programme coordinated by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry organized a consular mobile service at the Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat in the Mullaitivu District on 07 June 2019 and participated at the Mullaitivu District Progress Review Meeting, chaired by the President on 08 June 2019.

Read more: Consular Mobile Service conducted in Mullaitivu, under ‘Rata Wenuwen Ekata Sitimu’ Programme

The 4^th Annual Kochchikade in Ottawa St. Anthony's Feast was held at Good Shepard Church in Orleans on 15^th of June 2019. The event was organized by the Sri Lankan Community living in Ottawa to celebrate the annual feast of St. Anthony's Shrine at Kochchikade in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the large gathering at the ceremony Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama highlighted the importance of St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade to Sri Lankan citizens regardless of their religion and race and underlined the significance of this feast which is annually celebrated on a grand scale at St. Anthony’s national shrine. High Commissioner also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of the senseless terror attacks occurred in Sri Lanka on 21^st April 2019.

Read more: Kochchikade in Ottawa St. Anthony's Feast 2019

Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa participated in the Heads of Mission Spouses Association charity event organized to raise funds for school supplies for Indigenous children in Ottawa on 11^th June 2019. This was the first time that the Mission participated in this annual charity event.

The spouses of Heads of Mission Spouses Association’s Asia-Pacific chapter organized this event together with a team at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, which is an Ottawa-based health centre aimed at supporting the Indigenous community in Ottawa. The goal of the event was to raise $10,000 to supply 50 children at the centre with basic school essentials as part of the centre’s “Walk in Beauty” program.

Read more: Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa takes part in Heads of Mission Spouses Association (HOMSA) Charity event at Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health

High Commissioner Asoka Girihagama attended the Roundtable Luncheon with Deputy Speaker, Bruce Stanton hosted by the Embassy Connections Canada on 06th June 2019. During the Roundtable discussion, current political situation in Canada and its international relations were also discussed.

The Embassy Connections Canada is a non-political organization founded to provide spiritual support and assistance to Canadian Parliamentarians and foreign diplomats in Canada. In Ottawa, it facilitates networking between these leaders by organizing luncheons, roundtables, seminars and other activities featuring prominent Canadian leaders.

The Ambassadors of Poland, South Korea, Yemen, El Salvador, Latvia, Serbia and Jerry Sherman, President of the Embassy Connections Canada attended the Roundtable Luncheon.

The newly appointed State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake assumed duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today, 29 May 2019.

He was sworn in as the State Minister of Foreign Affairs this morning before President Maithripala Sirisena.

State Minister Senanayake was received by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, Additional Secretaries and other senior officials upon arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prior to assuming duties, the newly appointed State Minister of Foreign Affairs met with Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana at his office.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo

29 May 2019

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board hosted the first ever Ceylon Tea and Cake Dansala at the High Commission premises on 24^th May 2019, to celebrate the Vesak festival this year.

The Vesak Dansala offered passersby free Cake and Ceylon tea from Nuwaraeliya, Dimbula, Uva, Uda Pussellawa, Kandy and Ruhuna giving an opportunity for the Canadians to taste different flavours of Ceylon Tea. The passersby were also provided with complementary Ceylon Tea sachets to enjoy at home. The Dansal premises were decorated with Buddhist flags, tourist attractions related to Buddhism and cultural heritage.

Read more: Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa hosts first ever Ceylon Tea and Cake Dansala