Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana concluded a four- day visit to Kenya on Wednesday,  27 June 2018.  The  Minister's visit  to Kenya  was part  of  Sri Lanka’s  broarder policy to expand relations  in the  African region. In 2016, Sri Lanka  established a Permanent Mission  to  the African Union  in Addis Ababa.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Marapana held a meeting with  Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of  Kenya  Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma,  where  discussions focused on further strengthening relations between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister  appreciated  Kenya’s   support  and that of the region to  Sri Lanka’s  candidature at the recently concluded elections for the UNESCO  Intergovernmental Committee  for the  Safeguarding  of  Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for the term 2018-2022,  where Sri Lanka obtained 122 votes. The Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade endorsed the need to collaborate closely   as regional groupings to achieve common positions that benefit and strengthen the global footprint of the South.

The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a list of names published online by the ITJP (International Truth and Justice Project). According to the ITJP, this list, which presently consists of 351 names and can be accessed at http://www.disappearance.itjpsl.com/#lang=english is of persons who are alleged to have disappeared while in the custody of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in May 2009.

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) which has been established by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 14 of 2016 as amended by Act No. 09 of 2017)[1] is the permanent and independent entity in Sri Lanka that is vested with the tasks of, inter alia, searching and tracing of missing persons and clarifying the circumstances in which such persons went missing, and their fate; making recommendations to the relevant authorities towards reducing the incidents of missing persons; protecting the rights and interests of missing persons and their relatives; and identifying proper avenues of redress to which such missing persons or their relatives may have recourse.

Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges and encourages anyone in Sri Lanka or overseas to kindly share with the Office on Missing Persons:

-any further/additional/detailed information pertaining to persons whose names have been listed by the ITJP and the circumstances under which they went missing;

-any other lists/information that may be available with anyone/ entity pertaining to any individuals including lists of security forces and police personnel, who may be considered to be missing, as defined by Section 27 of the Act.

Kindly direct any information available to:

Chairperson,

Office on Missing Persons,

Address: 34, Narahenpita Road, Nawala, Sri Lanka

E-mail: < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

Colombo 1

20 June 2018

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, Canada participated in the Vesak Day Celebrations organized by the ‘Vesak in Ottawa and Asian Heritage Month’ at the Ottawa City Hall recently.

The Ottawa Vesak Day celebrations were attended by Canadian Government officials including the Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, members of the Monastic community, diplomatic corps, and a cross section of the Ottawa Community. Celebrations featured prayers and speeches by venerable Buddhist clergy, cultural performances and art displays from Ottawa’s diverse Asian communities.

During the event, all visitors to the Sri Lanka booth decorated with Buddhist flags, were provided with maps and brochures promoting Sri Lanka. Complimentary Ceylon Tea was also served. The Sri Lanka stall showcased tourist attractions, illustrating the rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and Ceylon Tea, providing a good opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse of what Sri Lanka has to offer.

The staff including the Deputy High Commissioner represented the Sri Lanka High Commission at this event. The High Commission’s participation at the event formed part of the 70^th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka Celebrations.

Sri Lanka High Commission Canada

08 June 2018