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Christmas celebrated in Canberra with tri-lingual carols
December 7, 2018
Christmas came early to Canberra when members of the Australia Sri Lanka Association (ASLA) and the Canberra Tamil Christian Fellowship (CTCF) joined the High Commission staff to sing carols in Sinhala, Tamil and English at the Mission’s Christmas celebration on Thursday 6th December 2018. The large audience rose to their feet to join in singing the final carol ‘ Silent Night’ in all three languages.
Music was provided by local Music group Nada Roo with Subramanium Sukumar also joining in on guitar while ANU student Roshen Fernando accompanied on keyboard. Read More »
CONDOLENCE – Dr. Wickrema Weerasooriya Former High Commissioner to Australia from 1986-1989
December 5, 2018
It is with deep sadness that the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra learnt of the passing of former High Commissioner Dr Wickrema Weerasooriya on 4th December 2018 in Colombo.
Dr Weerasooriya served as High Commissioner in Canberra from 1986 to 1989. He was the author of over twenty Australian and Sri Lankan textbooks, and his Australian text on Banking law is today considered as the definitive text on the subject. Now in its 6th edition it is titled as “Weerasooria’s Banking Law of Australia”. Read More »
Deepavali celebrations in Canberra
November 19, 2018
Sri Lanka High Commission celebrated Deepavali on 15th November with a special pooja and cultural items provided by the Sri Lankan community in Canberra.
Special pooja was conducted by Pandit Pradeep Bhat of the Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir. This was followed by the singing of devotional songs, a Bharatha natyam performance and a brief talk on the meaning of deepavali and its significance in Tamil and English. Read More »
Third Sri Lanka Festival in Canberra concludes successfully
November 14, 2018
Sri Lanka Festival 2018 attracted large crowds in Canberra on Saturday 10th November. This was the third consecutive Festival organised by the High Commission to showcase Sri Lanka to the Australian public.
Thaala Asapuwa Dance Academy of Victoria presented colourful and graceful dances depicting the multicultural diversity of Sri Lanka, while dance and music items presented by local Canberra talent added value to the cultural segment.
Sri Lanka Associations in Canberra were an integral part of the Festival and contributed by operating food stalls, Read More »
Foreign Minister Amunugama briefs Colombo based diplomats
November 13, 2018
Foreign Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama briefed foreign diplomats based in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning (12).
The Minister clarified the chain of events that compelled President Maithripala Sirisena to arrive at the decision to dissolve Parliament. He emphasized the constitutionality of the steps taken by President Sirisena and added that having being elected through a nation-wide vote, the President derives his authority directly from the people of Sri Lanka. The Minister said in the event of a conflict between the organs of government, seeking a mandate from people who are sovereign ensures that democracy prevails. Read More »
The Special statement delivered by President Maithripala Sirisena on November 11, 2018
November 12, 2018
This is the third occasion in 14 days I am addressing you to explain recent developments. First, on October 26 I explained my views to you after appointing Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.
Then, at the meeting held at Ape Gama in Battaramulla on 5th November, I explained the political views to you. Today is the third occasion and significantly, this is the first time I address you after dissolving the Parliament. First, I must tell you the circumstances leading to the dissolution of the Parliament very briefly. Read More »
Foreign Minister Amunugama says “no justification for the changing Travel Advisories”
November 5, 2018
Foreign Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, said that there was no justification for the Travel Advisories issued by a few countries, since there have been no incidents of violence or disruption in the country following the recent events. The Tourism sector has not been subject to any inconvenience.
The Minister made these observations when he met with the leading inbound tour operators, Senior Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), representatives of the Sri Lankan Airlines and other leading foreign carriers to discuss the Travel Advisories issued recently. Read More »
New Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha assumes duties
November 1, 2018
Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, assumed duties as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (31) having being appointed to the position by President Maithripala Sirisena.
The new Foreign Secretary Aryasinha was warmly received by his colleagues this morning, upon arrival at the Ministry.
Ambassador Aryasinha was previously Additional Secretary/ Economic Affairs and Trade in the Foreign Ministry since April 2018. Read More »
New Minister of Foreign Affairs assumes duties
October 31, 2018
The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Sarath Amunugama assumed duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday 30 October 2018.
The Minister was received by the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasad Kariyawasam and senior officials upon arrival at the Ministry.
Foreign Minister Amunugama addressed the senior staff of the Ministry following his assumption of duties. Read More »
Register with the High Commission
The Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra would like to keep in touch with Sri Lankans and persons of Sri Lankan origin living in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands as well as Sri Lankan community organisations in those countries.
If you are a current/former Sri Lankan or an office bearer of a Sri Lankan community organisation we invite you to register with the High Commission.
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Sri Lanka High Commission
61, Hampton Circuit
Yarralumla
ACT 2600