Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto

Awareness Programmes for the inscription of Tripitaka to be a World Heritage

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The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto in co-ordination with the Buddhist temples in Toronto organized a series of events to mark the inscription of Tripitaka to be a World Heritage.

On Saturday, 16^th March 2019, the first event was organized at the West End Buddhist Temple & Meditation Centre in Mississauga. The programme commenced with the observance of the five precepts followed by the Buddha Pooja. This was followed by two lectures which were conducted during the event on ‘Introduction to Tripitaka’ by Ven. Kusalagnana Thero and on ‘Thripitaka and Spiritual values of Sri Lankan Social Life’ by Dr. Sarath Chandrasekera of the University of Toronto.

Sri Lanka at the Travel and Vacation Show in Ottawa

Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa operated the Sri Lanka booth at the Travel and Vacation Show which was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism Development, Wildlife & Christian Religious Affair’s Sri Lanka.

The Ottawa Travel and Vacation Show which took place from March 30^th to 31^st, 2019 at Shaw Centre in Ottawa, attracted more than 17, 000 prospective travellers for the purpose of preparing their trips, discovering new destinations and seeking expert advice on their future holiday destinations. More than 45 countries were represented at this event through their tourism offices, tour operators and travel agents.

Parliamentary High Posts Committee approves nominations of fourteen career diplomats

The Committee on High Posts of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to examine the suitability of persons nominated/ appointed to the state services and the state corporations (High Posts Committee) on Wednesday 27 March approved the appointments of fourteen career diplomats nominated by President Maithripala Sirisena as Heads of Sri Lanka Missions overseas.

The fourteen senior officers, belonging to the Grade I of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) who are to be appointed as Heads of Mission are as follows:

Mrs. K.D. Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, Mr. Rodney M. Perera, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States of America, Mrs. Grace Asirwatham, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium and the European Union, Mr. A.S. Nakandala, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ms. Y.K. Gunasekara, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia, Mrs. J.A.S.K. Jayasuriya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand,Mrs. Pradeepa Saram, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Bahrain, Mrs. Shobini Gunasekera, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, Mrs. Saroja Sirisena, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. O.L. Ameerajwad, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Oman, Mr. M.J.P. Jayesinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Waruna Wilpatha, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel,Ms. Sashikala Premawardhane, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore, and Mr. Rizvi Hassen, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Turkey.

With these appointments, the percentage of career diplomats heading Sri Lanka Missions overseas increased from 36.57% to 46%. Sri Lanka maintains 52 Embassies/High Commissions overseas.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

30 March 2019

New Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka appointed in Montréal, Quebec

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Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canada, M.A.K. Girihagama, handed over the Commission of Appointment issued by the Government and Sri Lanka and the Exequatur granted by Canada to Mr. Claude Gagnon, who was appointed as the Honorary Consul in Montréal for the province of Quebec, on 26^th March 2019 at the High Commission.

In his brief remarks, High Commissioner Girihagama underlined the important role played by the Honorary Consul and the need to foster deeper ties between Sri Lanka and Quebec. The High Commissioner also requested the Honorary Consul to guide Sri Lanka nationals and prospective visitors to Sri Lanka on consular matter while also encouraging stronger bilateral ties including the promotion of investment, tourism and trade between Sri Lanka and Quebec.

Honorary Consul Gagnon, who is the President, Operations of the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Financial Group, a leader in the financial sector, was selected following a rigorous process in keeping with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

In addition to the appointment of Honorary Consul Gagnon, three new Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka were also appointed to Calgary in Alberta, Halifax in Nova Scotia and St. John in New Brunswick on 4^th March 2019. In addition, Sri Lanka also has an Honorary Consul in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

26^th March 2019

Consul General of Sri Lanka in Toronto pays courtesy call on Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Toronto Kapila Jayaweera paid a courtesy call on Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on 14 March 2019.

During the courtesy call, Consul General Jayaweera recalled the Canadian support for socio-economic development in Sri Lanka during the past few decades and exchanged views on the well-being of the Sri Lankans living in the Greater Toronto Area and its suburbs.

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario admired the achievements and various volunteer contributions of Sri Lankans living in Canada towards the Canadian society. The Governor further briefed the Consul General on the multi cultural environment in Canada and on the opportunities available, especially for education, for Sri Lankans living in Canada.

Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Toronto

18 March 2019