Foreign Minister Prof. G. L Peiris discusses Strengthening Mutual Cooperation with Australia

August 26, 2021

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at a courtesy call paid by the High Commissioner of Australia David Holly on 25 August 2021, discussed avenues for advancing bilateral relations with Australia across multiple fields of mutual interest. Read More »

Calling Application for “Foreign Students and Students with Foreign Qualifications” academic year 2021/2022

August 24, 2021

Enrollment of Foreign Students and Students with Foreign Qualifications as Day Scholars for Degree Programmes at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) of Sri Lanka  – Academic Year 2021/2022.

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka has initiated action to enroll Foreign Students and Students with Foreign Qualifications from other countries and from the expatriate Sri Lankan Community to follow undergraduate programmes at the KDU for the academic year 2021/2022.

Details of the available programmes are included in the annexed brochure and university website on www.kdu.ac.lk

Application of the prospective candidates are to be forwarded to Deputy Registrar, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, 10390, Sri Lanka on or before  31^st  October, 2021. 

Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra

24 August 2021

FOREIGN MINISTER PROF. G.L PEIRIS ASSUMES DUTIES

August 18, 2021

The newly appointed Foreign Minister Prof. G.L Peiris assumed duties at the Ministry today (18 August, 2021) at a simple ceremony graced by outgoing Foreign Minister and the new Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena;State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya; State Minister of Women and Child Development, Preschools & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services Piyal Nishantha De Silva; …. Read More »

Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra celebrates Eid

August 5, 2021

The Sri Lanka High Commission celebrated EID – UL – ADHA with the Sri Lankan Muslim community in Canberra, on Saturday, 31 July 2021 at the High Commission premises.

Eid, which is a sacred event, celebrated every year by Muslims all over the world was held this year at the High Commission as an outdoor event following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Read More »

The message of H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa President of Sri Lanka on the Occasion of Hajj

July 21, 2021

The Hajj festival is a spiritual celebration that displays the spirit of mutual understanding, compassion and exchange of fond greetings among the Islam devotees the world over. I believe this is also a significant period in which the Muslim community bestows their traditions upon the future generation.

Read more….

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s special address to the nation

June 26, 2021

The Most Venerable Maha Sangha, religious leaders of other faiths, Sri Lankan Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Dear Children,

Covid-19 global pandemic is the most serious challenge at this juncture not only for our country but also for each and every country irrespective of their development status. About 180 million people worldwide have contracted the virus while nearly 3.9 million people have died from it so far.

The developed countries, which initially suffered severely from coronavirus, have largely contained the risk of virus spread today since the majority of the population has been vaccinated. Although some vaccine-producing countries have easy access to the vaccine, there are others that have so far failed to secure any vaccine to their people.

I took special efforts in the recent past to bring down vaccines to Sri Lanka. I personally spoke to the Heads of State in countries like China and India. I also made requests by letters. I personally wrote letters to the Heads of State of Russia and other countries. We held discussions with vaccine-producing countries through our Foreign Ministry and through the Ambassadors and High Commissioners. Our officials coordinated with vaccine manufacturing companies.

All these efforts were made because I wanted to vaccinate all the people in our country.
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Sri Lanka’s Observations on the Resolution adopted in the EU Parliament

June 16, 2021

The Foreign Ministry regrets the adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka in the European Parliament on 10 June 2021.  The resolution entitled “The Situation in Sri Lanka, in particular the arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act”, contains factual inaccuracies, and does not take cognizance of the multifaceted progress made by Sri Lanka in reconciliation and development.

At the outset, the Ministry wishes to state that provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act have been invoked to address heinous acts of terrorism committed on its people. In this context. It is recalled that the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks of 2019 resulted in significant loss of life, including of several EU nationals.

It is important to underscore that the Government of Sri Lanka maintains a regular, vibrant and cordial dialogue with the European Union (EU), covering all aspects of bilateral relations.  The engagement is sustained through the close and cordial dialogue maintained with the European Commission, the Council and the Parliament by the Sri Lanka Mission in Brussels; and with the EU delegation and EU Ambassadors in Colombo by senior interlocutors of Government.

As part of this process, Sri Lanka has constructive engagement with the European Commission on the review of its EU GSP + compliance with the 27 core International Conventions.  Towards this end, the Third Cycle of Review of the EU GSP + Monitoring Process for 2020-2021 is ongoing.

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Foreign Minister Gunawardena conveys appreciation to Australian counterpart for support to Sri Lanka

June 11, 2021

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Marise Payne on Wednesday (09/06) expressed his deep appreciation for the support extended by Australia towards Sri Lanka in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Foreign Minister welcomed Australian assistance in the form of a COVID-19 containment package amounting to Rs. 1,787 million; donation made through UNICEF of essential COVID-19 supplies; and provision of protective equipment. In addition he welcomed the Royal Australian Aircraft’s delivery of 9.8m facemasks and 3,200 coveralls to the Ministry of Health on the 4th of June 2021.

The Foreign Minister requested for the Australian government’s support to procure Astra Zeneca vaccines which the Australian Minister agreed to consider positively.

The Ministers also agreed to launch appropriate programs to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Australia, in April next year.  Acknowledging the positive role that Australian Development Assistance has played in the national development efforts of Sri Lanka, Minister Gunawardena emphasized the importance of continued support to Sri Lanka at this critical time. In response to a specific request made by the Sri Lanka side, the Australian Foreign Minister offered to make available to Sri Lanka technical assistance to mitigate the environmental damage caused by the Express Pearl ship in Sri Lankan waters.

During the conversation, Minister Gunawardena conveyed H.E. the President’s request for support for organic fertilizer based agriculture, and Minister Payne responded that Australia would provide technical assistance in that field, through Australian research institutes.

The Ministers discussed a wide range of bilateral and multi-lateral matters including, Australia’s ongoing projects in Sri Lanka amounting to AUD $58m. Minister Payne’s assurance that Australia would continue to cooperate with Sri Lanka in its work with Commonwealth organisations and Asian regional organizations such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Bali Process was especially appreciated by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister.

Foreign Ministry
Colombo

10 June 2021

Sri Lanka High Commission Celebrates Vesak in Canberra

June 1, 2021

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra Celebrated 2021 Vesak with an alms giving and a Dhamma sermon.

The High Commission staff offered Buddha Pooja at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara in Canberra on the Vesak poya day on 26^th May followed by   “Heel Dhanaya”  to  the resident Venerable Maha Sanga. The Vesak lanterns and illuminations were displayed at the high Commission.

On 28^th May a Dhamma sermon   conducted by Venerable Aparelle Soratha Thero of the  Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara was held at the High Commission premises. Read More »

Cultural and Religious Diversity of Sri Lanka Celebrated in Canberra

June 1, 2021

An event to celebrate cultural and religious diversity of Sri Lanka was held on Friday, 21st May 2021, from 6.00pm to 7.00pm at the Sri Lanka High Commission premises.

Commencing the event multi-faith religious observances were conducted by Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Catholic religious dignitaries in Canberra.The cultural segment comprised traditional Sri Lankan dance forms, music and singing by the artists from the Sri Lankan community. Read More »