High Commission interacts with Sri Lankan Associations in Canberra

August 28, 2015

H.E. Mr. Somasundaram Skandakumar, and the Staff of the High Commission organised an interaction with representatives of Sri Lankan associations in Australian Capital Territory (ACT), yesterday, 27 August 2015. The High Commissioner emphasised the need to work collectively as Sri Lankans towards the country’s development and reconciliation.

The participants conveyed their appreciation the initiative taken by the High Commission and assured support for Mission activities and to work together towards these objectives.

US supports resettlement efforts in Sampur

August 26, 2015

The United States has pledged $ 1 million to support resettlement efforts in Sampur, Eastern Province in Sri Lanka as part of its continuing commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s peace and development.

The new US Ambassador to Colombo, Ambassador Atul Keshap, has stated that, the goal is to help Sri Lankans around the country overcome the effects of conflict and displacement, improve the lives of their families and communities, and live with dignity.

The first $ 100,000 will be managed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide newly-resettled communities with a range of services and means of support to meet their basic needs. Another $ 900,000 is planned by the US Embassy to build two schools in the Sampur region with facilities to support and house displaced families.

http://www.ft.lk/article/462519/US-supports-resettlement-efforts-in-Sampur

Mangala Samaraweera appointed as Foreign Minister

August 25, 2015

Hon. Mangala Samaraweera MP was appointed today as Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister. Taking oaths in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat, he re-affirmed his commitment to “faithfully perform the duties and discharge the functions of the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the Constitution”.

This is the third time Minister Samaraweera will hold the portfolio, having held it for the first time between November 2005 and January 2007, and for the second time between January 2015 and August 2015.

After the ceremony, Minister Samaraweera said that he would “build, with even greater vigour, on the tremendous goodwill the international community extended to Sri Lanka after the January 8 revolution”, adding that, “this intensification of engagement and strengthening of relations will be made possible by the political stability arising from the decisive mandate given by the people in the general election”.

He said that he would “place economic diplomacy at the centre of Sri Lanka’s foreign affairs – focusing on promoting trade, tourism and investment”. Minister Samaraweera also noted that “restructuring the Foreign Ministry and the rationalization of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad was an urgent priority”.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo

24th August 2015

President hands over land deeds to 234 families in Sampur

August 24, 2015

President Maithripala Sirisena handed over land deeds to 234 war-displaced families in Sampur at a ceremony on Saturday 22 August. The President was warmly welcomed by the people in the area.

818 acres of land which had been previously vested with the BOI had been taken back by the Government and returned to its original owners.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President said that we could not expect development without the blessings of the people and that he would commit himself to solving the problems of the people living in the North and South without any discrimination.

The President said that his vision is to build a country where people belonging to all communities could live in harmony with each other that he would personally look into the wellbeing of the people in the North and East and commit himself to fulfilling the needs of the people living in those areas.

President Sirisena said that the country would be able to progress as a peaceful nation only by affording equal opportunities to every citizen and building peace and reconciliation amongst communities.

The Government will provide Rs. 13, 000.00 to those who received lands in order for them to clear them while an additional Rs. 25,000 will be provided to build temporary houses along with building materials.

Several countries have offered assistance to build these houses. They will also help provide electricity, water and sanitation facilities as well as to develop roads. The total number of displaced families in Sampur is 825.

Source:http://www.ft.lk/article/461475/President-hands-over-land-deeds-to-234-families-in-Sampur

New High Commissioner presents credentials

August 19, 2015

The new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia, Mr. Somasundaram Skandakumar presented credentials to Sir Peter Cosgrove, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, today, 19 August 2015 at the Government House in Canberra. The credentials ceremony included a one to one discussion between the new High Commissioner and the Governor General, an official photograph and a Guard of Honour according a “National Salute”.

The ceremony was followed by an official lunch hosted by the Governor General to all newly accredited Heads of Mission at the Government House.

Mr. Skandakumar had a long track record in the private commercial sector in Sri Lanka and was the Chairman of the George Steuart Group of Companies, Sri Lanka’s oldest business house, for eight very successful years in the new millennium. He was also closely associated with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board holding honorary office as Assistant Secretary (1982-1989), Secretary (1989 – 1992) and Vice Chairman/Secretary (1999-2000).

Handing Over of Dual Citizenship Certificates

June 12, 2015

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Ministry of Public Order & Christian Religious Affairs jointly handed over Dual Citizenship Certificates to recipients at the Foreign Ministry main conference hall today, 11 June 2015 at 10.00 a.m.

Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. John Amaratunga, Minister of Public Order & Christian Religious Affairs, Controller/Immigration & Emigration Mr. M.N. Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mrs. C. Wagiswara and Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Public Order & Christian Religious Affairs Mr. W. A. Perera  participated at the ceremony.

The provision of dual citizenship was restored in March 2015. 150 certificates were awarded to recipients today. Speaking at the occasion, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera noted that many had renewed ties with Sri Lanka again, to become citizens of the country and “make Sri Lanka’s journey towards development, reconciliation, peace and prosperity your own again” and noted that there was much they could contribute and much Sri Lanka could learn from their experiences.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
11th June 2015

Full text of the Minister’s address follows:-

The Minister of Public Order and Christian Religious Affairs, Hon. John Amaratunga,

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara, and
Mr. Chulananda Perera, Acting Secretary of Ministry of Public Order.

The Controller General of Immigration & Emigration, Mr. M.N. Ranasinghe,

Distinguished guests,

Friends,

I am honoured to be able to share this very special day with you in this Ministry.  Let me also take this opportunity to thank my Cabinet colleague, Hon. John Amaratunga for choosing the historic Republic Building as the venue for this function.

Today, you formally renew your ties with your country of origin, Sri Lanka, and become citizens of this country again, in addition to the countries which you have chosen as your new homes.

I am extremely happy that you have chosen to make Sri Lanka’s journey towards development, reconciliation, peace and prosperity your own again.

This is a step that a few in the over one-and-a-half million strong Sri Lankan diaspora have taken. In fact, since 1987, only 34,000 Sri Lankans abroad have made such a firm commitment.

Of course, we are aware, that some of you wanted very much to resume citizenship earlier, but the facility for this purpose was restricted in the last few years.

The Government of President Maithripala Sirisena realizes the true value of the diaspora community and welcome all of you as our citizens. You are all citizens of this country who now carry the flag for Sri Lanka overseas.

We welcome your renewed participation in all aspects of Sri Lankan civic, economic and cultural life.

There is much that you can contribute, and there is much that we can learn from your experiences.

You bring the experience of many different political, economic and social systems; knowledge of best practices in science and industry and the latest ideas, developments and trends in academia and culture.

Perhaps, as importantly, you can see the mistakes others have made, and help us appreciate what we have taken for granted at home.

It is important to note that Sri Lanka’s relationships with your adopted second-homes and with the Sri Lankan diaspora are not a zero-sum game – we all want peace, we all want prosperity and we all want an equal and just society, and world.

Sri Lanka is our motherland. So far too many years since Independence, we allowed ourselves to be divided along different lines–ethnic, religious, linguistic, class–whatever it was. We suffered. We lost our best to violence in all parts of our country. We have seen enough violence. It is time that we united in mind and spirit. This land is the common space that should unite us – those of us who live here in this country and those of you who left our shores and live overseas.

We must ensure that the mistakes of the past do not get repeated again. This nation cannot afford to lose more of her sons and daughters to violence.

Together, as a reconciled and united nation at peace, we must work and strive to achieve common goals that will benefit present and future generations in this country and enable Sri Lanka to achieve its full potential in all fields.

With your help, with your participation, we will be able to achieve these objectives faster and more easily than we can, alone.

You can play an important role in this journey. You are a bridge between Sri Lanka and your host countries. Each of you is an ambassador of this country to your host countries. Each of you are also ambassadors to the one-and-a-half million persons of Sri Lankan origin living overseas.

Per capita, Sri Lanka’s diaspora is one of the world’s largest and it is also one of the most illustrious diasporas.

In fact, according to the OECD, in 2006, one in three members of the Sri Lankan diaspora living in the OECD is an educated professional.

They also estimate that OECD contains over 8000 legislators, senior officials and managers of Sri Lankan origin.

In a nutshell, Sri Lanka’s diaspora consists of individuals who are hardworking, talented, and responsible. They have contributed positively to the nations which they have made their homes and through perseverance and wield influence.

Our diaspora has demonstrated their contribution to the advancement of science and technology, the pursuit of justice, and the production of wealth in many nations overseas.

Now that Sri Lanka has opened its doors to welcome them, we hope they acknowledge and respond by returning home to become stakeholders in Sri Lanka’s new journey towards peace, reconciliation and development.

We hope that they use the talent and skills they have gained over the years, to help us accelerate our development and enrich our thinking.

We should strive to reverse the brain drain during the long years of conflict and ensure that Sri Lanka will now receive all the benefits of a brain gain at this crucial time of her history.

Dual-citizens are in a privileged position of being a bridge – bringing us closer together and enabling us to travel together again.

Many say that you have the best of both worlds, but in you, as a country, we have the best of both worlds.

You live and work among the Diaspora, among the leaders and citizens of some of the most developed and advanced countries in the world.  Yet also maintain the closest of relationships with our island.

Your hybrid identity allows you to provide honest information, facilitate tourism, trade and investment and act as a gateway to Sri Lanka.

But, above all, it is your passion that Sri Lanka needs: the passion to motivate and mobilize the diaspora and the world to join our journey in creating a new Sri Lanka.

In one of my previous speeches, I argued that salesmanship will be as important as statesmanship, for the modern Sri Lankan diplomat: this applies also to citizen ambassadors like you who represent this nation overseas as citizens of Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

We hope that you would take on the task of persuading the world that Sri Lanka is not only a paradise for tourists, but that it is becoming a paradise for investors too.

We hope that you take our story, our nation’s story to the world outside. Tell them about the pain of conflict, what we have experienced and the renewal of our democracy, to embark on this new and promising journey, having realized that this is the only meaningful way forward.

Tell them about the beauty of this island, its ancient history, its potential for investors, its advanced human resources, the advantage of its location.   Today, I invite you to take a single practical step in that direction.

In order to encourage diaspora members to engage and contribute to efforts in Sri Lanka, this Ministry is keen to organize a Diaspora Festival later this year.

We believe that such an event to connect Sri Lanka to its diaspora, which could even take the form of a regular annual event, will enable the communities in the country to benefit from their knowledge, capacity, expertise and skills. 

As you know there are several other countries who have benefited from such organized events – India and Ireland to name a few.

While we try to think of new ways to embrace you and engage with you, I urge you too to be innovative and creative in joining this journey.

Perhaps with the help of our embassies in your host countries, you could try to unite as Sri Lankan dual-citizens overseas.  We must now stop thinking in narrow, parochial terms; you must call yourselves the Sri Lankan diaspora and not define ourselves on ethnic lines by labeling yourselves as the Sinhala Diaspora, Tamil Diaspora or the Muslim Diaspora.  Let there be unity in our diversity.  The new Sri Lanka we all dream of will be a celebration of our multi ethnic, multi religious, multi cultural country.

Let us now together travel on a common journey of peace to achieve progress and prosperity for our nation.

Thank you. 

Sri Lanka honours United Nations Peacekeepers

June 1, 2015

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May, is an occasion to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held this afternoon, 29 May 2015, at the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training (IPSOT- Sri Lanka) in Kukuleganga with the participation of the United Nations Acting Resident Coordinator Beth Crawford as Chief Guest to honour the memory of 6 Sri Lankan Peacekeepers who lost their lives while on duty in peace operations.

S/310553 Cpl  Wijesinghe  HM
S/309967  L/Cpl Jayasighe JBAJ
           From the Sri Lanka Light infantry

S/514272   L/Cpl   Jayantha  APP
S/508381   WO II   Puspkumara  APC
           From the Vijayabahu infantry Regiment

S/600518  S/Sgt  Priyawansa HMT
           From the Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps 

S/69990  Cpl   Hemachandre DAG
           From the Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers 

Director General, General Staff of the Sri Lanka Army Major General BA Perera, Director of the Directorate of Training of the SrI Lanka Army Brigadier KPA Jayasekara and Commandant of IPSOT-Sri Lanka Brigadier HPNK Jayapathirana also attended the event, together with officers and other ranks from the Sri Lanka Air Force, Navy  and Army.

Currently, Sri Lanka has a total of 694 military personnel serving in UN Peacekeeping Missions in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Central African Republic (MINUSCA), South Sudan (UNMISS), Lebanon (UNIFIL), Congo (MONUSCO), and Western Sahara (MINURSO) with 72 police personnel serving in 3 Missions in Haiti, South Sudan and Liberia (UNMIL).

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka
Colombo

29 May 2015

Sri Lanka hosts forum on international humanitarian law

May 20, 2015

The sixth annual South Asian Regional Conference on international humanitarian law (IHL) jointly organized by the Government of Sri Lanka and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is being held in Colombo from19-21 May 2015.  

Welcoming the opportunity of hosting the Conference in Colombo for the first time, Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera, Chief Guest at the opening of the Conference, remarked that the deliberations of this event would be important to ensure that the Humanitarian Law regime keeps pace with the evolving nature of armed conflict. Thanking ICRC for the remarkable work that it has been carrying out in Sri Lanka for 25 years, the Deputy Minister commented that the Government looks forward to cooperating even more closely with the ICRC in future, to address the humanitarian needs of the people in the country.

Approximately 40 nominated individuals representing key ministries, parliaments, the judiciary and the armed forces in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, the Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan are participating in the conference.  Sri Lanka will be represented by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s department, the Legal Draftsman’s department and the Sri Lanka Army.  Experts in IHL from the region and the ICRC will be resource persons for the event where participants will share their perspectives on IHL and work together towards heightened recognition of and compliance with this body of law.

“Over the years, international humanitarian law had to respond to the evolving nature of armed conflicts”, said Cherine Pollini, the head of the delegation of the ICRC in Sri Lanka.  “The theme of the conference, which is IHL: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, reflects these challenges and developments, some of which will be deliberated on at the forum”, she added.

The first South Asian Conference on international humanitarian law was co- organized by the ICRC and the Government of Nepal in 2009.  Since then the ICRC has organized four more conferences with governments in the region: Bangladesh (2010), Maldives (2011), Bhutan (2012) and Nepal (2014).

The ICRC promotes respect for international humanitarian law on the basis of its internationally recognized mandate under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

19^th May 2015

Visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Sri Lanka

May 5, 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry who visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera concluded his two-day visit to the country on Sunday 3 May 2015.

During the visit which was the first official visit by a US Secretary of State in 43 years, Secretary Kerry called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat, and had a meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who hosted the visiting Secretary of State and delegation to lunch at the Temple Trees. He held official bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation at the talks included Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakse, Investment Promotion Minister Kabir Hashim, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ajith P. Perera, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Chitranganee Wagiswara and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States Prasad Kariyawasam.

At official talks, the two sides agreed to renew, revive and strengthen relations between the United States and Sri Lanka. Secretary Kerry welcomed the constitutional and administrative reforms introduced by President Sirisena’s Government to consolidate democracy and rule of law and lauded the Sri Lankan leaders for not being afraid of handling difficult issues of national importance. Issues of bilateral, regional and international concern for both countries were discussed as well. It was agreed that the US and Sri Lanka would launch a Partnership Dialogue to discuss on a regular basis, bilateral and international issues with a view to further enhance engagement between the two countries.

Secretary Kerry was briefed on the steps being taken by the Government to promote reconciliation and address post conflict issues including missing persons, detainees and accountability. The Secretary of State emphasized that Sri Lanka must find its own solutions to national issues and appreciated the many positive steps that have already been taken by the Government. He offered US technical assistance in this regard, as required.

Pledging a financial package for economic development, Secretary Kerry undertook to encourage US businessmen to invest in Sri Lanka. Both sides agreed to actively work towards enhancing bilateral trade and to explore the possibility of expanding the scope of the present Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

After the conclusion of talks, Minister Samaraweera and Secretary Kerry addressed the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister expressed his pleasure to be able to continue the dialogue that was initiated when he visited Washington DC in February this year. The Minister welcomed the agreement reached to build on the multifaceted bilateral relationship and forge stronger people-to-people contact. Recalling relations between Sri Lanka and the United States that dated back generations, the Minister highlighted the contribution of the American Missionaries to education in Sri Lanka and contribution of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott to the revival of Buddhism and the designing of the Buddhist flag in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the press, Secretary Kerry commended the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the decisions taken to strengthen democracy and assured that the American people will stand by Sri Lanka.. He also commended the Government for its quick response in sending teams to assist the people of Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake. Stressing the need to rely on each other and the need to work together cooperatively to forge a stronger friendship and a stronger partnership for the benefit of both countries. The Secretary of State emphasized that the people of the US and Sri Lanka share the same values and same aspirations. He added that he is proud to be in the country to help renew the partnership and the friendship between the people of the United States and the people of Sri Lanka at this pivotal point in the country’s history.

At the conclusion of official meetings on 2 May, Secretary Kerry visited the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara on the eve of Vesak. He was received at the Temple, by the Ven. Dr. Kollupitiya Mahinda Thera who bestowed blessings.

The Secretary of State also met with the leadership of the Tamil National Alliance and representatives of civil society.

At Foreign Minister Samaraweera’s invitation in his capacity as Chairman of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS), Secretary Kerry addressed an event attended by ministers, members of Parliament, Government officials, civil society, academics, social workers, media, students, private sector and diplomatic community representatives at the Taj Samudra Hotel on 2 May.

Introducing Secretary Kerry, Foreign Minister Samaraweera expressed hope that this visit would mark the beginning of a very special friendship between the two countries.

Congratulating the people of Sri Lanka who turned out in record numbers from all corners of the country on 8 January, to reclaim Sri Lanka’s traditions of critical debate, free press, and an independent civil society, the Secretary of State, in his remarks, outlined areas of possible cooperation between the two countries and people.

Paying tribute to Lakshman Kadirgamar, Secretary Kerry stated that he would have been inspired by the people of this country – Sinhalese and Tamil, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and Muslim at this time, as he would recognize the possibilities of a Sri Lanka reconciled, democratic, and prosperous, with a united and entrepreneurial people dedicated to making their country a shining jewel of the Indian Ocean and of the broader Indo-Pacific.

Stressing that the United States believes in that vision and in the potential of all of Sri Lanka’s people, he assured the support of the United States as the country builds a stronger democracy and a future that is marked by peace and prosperity.

3 May 2015

Sri Lanka condoles with Nepal on the tragic loss of life and damage to property from the Earthquake and dispatches Emergency Relief Assistance

May 1, 2015

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to property caused by the earthquake which occurred this (25^th April) morning in Nepal and extends sincere condolences to the Government and people of Nepal particularly the families of the bereaved, and, wish a speedy recovery to those injured by this calamity.

As a gesture of solidarity towards the friendly people of Nepal, the Government of Sri Lanka will dispatch Emergency Relief Assistance to Nepal tonight. As a first step, Sri Lanka Airforce C 130 Aircraft will carry a Medical Team consisting of Doctors from the Military and the Health Ministry including surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and relief assistance contingent and equipment including tents, generators, communication, excavating and other equipment.  Further assistance would be considered after a needs assessment in Nepal.

The dispatch  of a Emergency Relief Assistance  follows a special coordination meeting held this afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat which was attended by the Minister of Health, Minister of Disaster Management, Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary Defence,  Secretary Foreign Affairs, the  Service Commanders and the Inspector General of Police together with  Senior officials of the Ministries of Health, Disaster Management, Foreign Affairs  and other key Ministries. The Charge d’ Affaires of Nepal in Sri Lanka who was also present briefed the meeting on the evolving situation in Nepal.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Nepal Mr. W.M. Senevirathna has ascertained the safety and welfare of the Sri Lankans in Nepal and has informed that the 120 Sri Lankan students at the Manipal University in Pokhara and around 20 Sri Lankans in Kathmandu, are safe.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in Nepal will continue to monitor the situation in relation to the Sri Lankans in Nepal and any further assistance to be extended to Nepal.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Colombo 
 
25 April 2015