Vanuatu seeks Sri Lanka’s help to host CHOGM 2017

November 19, 2013

Moana Carcasses Kalosil, President of Vanuatu sought Sri Lanka’s support to organize CHOGM 2017 which the Pacific Island will be hosting when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Water’s Edge this afrenoon (Nov. 16). The Vanuatu President is in Colombo attending CHOGM 2013.

Congratulating President Rajapaksa for organizing the current CHOGM so well the Vanuatu President requested Sri Lanka to share its rich experience with his country to sucessfully organize the Meeting in 2017.

President Rajapaksa in response said that he is ready to help Vanuatu by way of sharing experience in organizing the flagship event of the Commonwealth. The President briefed him of the progress the country has made since the end of the conflict four years ago.

“I feel like home”, Kalosil said while describing Sri Lanka’s people as hospitable, friendly and smiling like his own people. Vanuatu has been twice rated as the world’s “happiest nation”.

President Kalosil said he was happy to see that Sri Lanka is on forward march after 30 years of misery. “We admire your leadership in guiding your country to prosperity. We assure you our full support”, he said.

A high level delegation including Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Edward Natapei accompanied the Vanuatu President.

Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Sajin de Vaas Gunwardena, Monitoring MP to the Ministry of External Affairs, , Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, ,Karunatilleke Amunugama, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Asutralia, were also present at the discussion.

Sri Lankan and Australian leaders hold discussions

November 19, 2013

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott met on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 last evening (Nov. 16) at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre (SBMEC).

“I also want to thank you for the corporation Sri Lanka showed to Australia on people smuggling issues.” said Prime Minister Abbott.

The Prime Minister appreciated the progress that has taken place at the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa, elaborating on the rehabilitation and reconciliation processes, said that more than 14,000 cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who admitted to have received training as suicide bombers have been rehabilitated and integrated back into the society within a very short period even though there was a risk in doing so. The Government also took measures to unite the child soldiers with their parents in months after the war ended, the President added.

“War has ended; Peace and prosperity are great things to have,” Prime Minister Abbott told the President.

Describing the growth taking place in Jaffna, President said that while the country as a whole has seen seven to eight percent growth, the North has seen 22 percent growth. President Rajapaksa said that even though some parts of the country were neglected by focusing on the North, it had to be done to bring that part of the country on par with other areas since the LTTE prevented any development from taking place in that region for the past thirty years.

“We should be very slow to judge,” Prime Minister Abbott said.

Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Peiris explained the work done by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), and the action plan derived for the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.

Secretary the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga described the process involved in providing employment to young graduates of the Northern Province as way of providing more opportunities for the youth.

Several other dignitaries from Australia accompanied Prime Minister Abbott.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Mr. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga and Secretary of the Minister of External Affairs Mr. Karunatilake Amunugama accompanied President Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka – Australia partnership Foregoing Ahead

November 14, 2013

Julie Bishop, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia on the sidelines of the CHOGM Foreign Ministers meeting hadproductive discussions with Prof G L Peiris, in  finding solutions to curb irregular maritime arrivals to Australia.  The new Australian strategy “operation sovereign borders” was discussed with agreement by both parties to co-operate.  Foreign Minister Julie Bishop re-emphasized Australia’s gratitude for the proactive stance taken by Sri Lanka to effectively address this humanitarian challenge. 

Prof Peiris in response appreciated the Australian government’s positive engagement with Sri Lanka and the support and encouragement extended in Sri Lanka’s hosting of the CHOGM.  Amongst the other issues discussed were the optimum utilizing of AusAid for the socio-economic development of the country and further encouraging investor confidence in carving out a mutually beneficial partnership.  Australian Foreign Minister also briefed Prof Peiris on the new Colombo Plan which is expected to strengthen involvement in the Asia Pacific region in the field of education.  

Premier Tony Abbott’s visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Colombo was highlighted as a re-assuring factor in shaping the course for future Australia – Sri Lanka relations.  The Sri Lankan and Australian High Commissioners and the Senior Officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.     

Violation of visas by Australian Senator and New Zealand MP

November 11, 2013

The attention of the Ministry of External Affairs has been drawn to media reports on the detention of Australian Senator Lee Rhiannon and New Zealand MP Jan Logie by Sri Lankan authorities for visa violations.

Senator Rhiannon and MP Logie who were in Sri Lanka on tourist visas, were questioned by the authorities for breaching the conditions of their visas which are issued to bona-fide tourists for the sole purpose of engaging in tourism. However, the Senator and MP were found attempting to hold a press conference which is in violation of their tourist visas.

The authorities have taken appropriate action after questioning them.

Ministry of External Affairs

Colombo

10^th November 2013

Sri Lanka establish diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands and High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe present Credentials to Governor General His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro KABUI in Honiara, Solomon Islands on 24th October 2013

October 28, 2013

Sri Lanka formally established diplomatic relations with Solomon Islands for the first time when the High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe ceremonially presented the Credential papers of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to  His Excellency the  Governor General Sir Frank Ofagioro KABUI on 24th October in the Government House.

After traditional greetings and being honoured with Solomon Islands Police Force Guard of Honour, the High Commissioner was welcomed by the Governor General and accepted the credential papers.  The Governor General was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Protocol at the ceremony.

The Governor General conveyed his personal best wishes to His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa and wished the people of Sri Lanka a bright future.  In a brief speech, the High Commissioner conveyed the greetings of His Excellency the President and the people of Sri Lanka to Her Majesty  Queen  Elizabeth the II, the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and explained post conflict achievements and the vision of the President of Sri Lanka to achieve greater heights in economic, social and political development in making Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia.

On completion of Presentation of Credentials, the High Commissioner paid Courtesy Calls on Hon. Gordon Darcy LILO, the Prime Minister and Hon. Clay Forau SOALAOI, Minister of Foreign Affairs.  During these discussions, the High Commissioner conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of the Government of Solomon Islands for the highest level representation in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the forthcoming CHOGM and expressed Sri Lanka’s desire of welcoming the delegation led by the Prime Minister.

Hon. Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister both conveyed their keen interest to take part at the above historic international event to display their solidarity, share the experience and observe the post conflict achievements.  Hon. Prime Minister expressed his confidence and keenness to finalise a proposed Global Management Consultancy Services of Sri Lanka to establish a financial institution in Solomon Islands. The level of financial discipline and achievements of Sri Lankan financial institutions and the common challenges experienced by both countries were indicated as influencing factors in pursuing this particular programme. The High Commissioner also met the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Employment, & Immigration Hon. Elijah Doro MUALA.

The discussions concluded with commitment to progress on above Financial Management Consultancy assistance and also to engage on coconut industry and development in education and health  sectors.

Mr. Ranjit Hewagama CBE, the Legal Draftsman and the Legal Advisor to the Solomon Islands Parliament, Mr. Suren Abeywickrema, CEO of multinational company M/s Carpenters of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and Mr. Valentine Thurairajah, former UNDP Advisor and Project Manager to Solomon Islands represented the Sri Lankan community at the ceremony.

The High Commissioner also met a group of Sri Lankans  who are resident and employed in Solomon Islands briefed  them of the post conflict development work and the progress achieved and encouraged them to support Sri Lanka in every possible means in its development efforts and also to counter false  propaganda against Sri Lanka.  Most of the Sri Lankans were employed in banking, financial, business and hospitality sectors.

Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
28.10.2013

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H.E. the President’s interview to Al Jazeera Television

September 28, 2013

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 – Colombo, Sri Lanka

September 28, 2013

This year, CHOGM is taking place in Sri Lanka, the first time an Asian country is hosting the summit in 24 years. For more information visit www.chogm2013.lk

High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe on ABC 24 TV ( World Programme) with Jane Hutcheon

September 27, 2013

The High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe was interviewed by the ABC The World programme on 25th October 2013. During this interview, he provided updated information on recent developments in Sri Lanka including  the recently concluded successful Northern Province elections. Australia Sri Lanka relations and his own naval experience in the eradication of terrorism from our motherland.  

The full nine minutes interview can be viewed on http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-25/election-results-to-pave-the-way-for/4981416

Live Transmission via Satellite-Kandy Esala Perahera 2013

August 2, 2013