The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya is open to the public
July 12, 2013
On the morning of Sunday 7 July, the sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya in Bihar suffered a series of low intensity blasts. Immediately following the explosions, President Mahinda Rajapaksa issued a statement condemning the attacks. He spoke soon therafter to the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, and expressed Sri Lanka’s solidarity with the peace loving people of Bihar and India, and offered any assistance that may be required.
The people of Sri Lanka share a special bond with the people of Bihar, a state which welcomes over 150,000 Sri Lankan pilgrims every year who visit India to venerate sacred sites that are associated with the life of Gautama Buddha.
On President Rajapaksa’s instructions, officials at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in India and the Deputy High Commissioner’s Office in Chennai were dispatched to Bodhgaya on the very day that the explosions took place, to coordinate with authorities in India as required, to ensure the safety and security of the sacred site as well as pilgrims, particularly from Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan pilgrims were advised to postpone their planned pilgrimages to Bodhgaya by one week to facilitate investigations into the attack and to allow time and space to review and strengthen security in the Bodhgaya temple complex.
It has since been established that there has been no damage to the sacred Bodhi tree, the structure of the shrine and premises or to sacred objects as a result of the blasts, and no Sri Lankans have been hurt.
The Mahabodhi Temple is now once again open to the public. Authorities of the Central Government of India and the state of Bihar, in consultation with the Temple Management Committee have established a security system that will provide for the safety and security of all pilgrims to the Mahabodhi Temple.
Having consulted all concerned, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in India informs the Sri Lankan public that they may now resume pilgrimage to the sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya.
High Commission of Sri Lanka in India, New Delhi
11 July 2013
THE VICTORIOUS NORTH AND EAST YOUNG CRICKETERS MADE HISTORY AT KILINOCHCHI – THE EMERGING DESTINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
July 5, 2013
The T20 over Cricket Match held between Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Province Combined Team Vs Melbourne’s Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association & Australian Hellenic Federation Combined Cricket Team made history due to several reasons. Having won the toss, the Sri Lanka North-East combined team opted to bat first. The young Sri Lankan combined cricket Team were all surprised but jubilant from the beginning of the game since it was a novel experience thus a golden opportunity for them to tests their talents in front of the home crowd. The young Sri Lankans build steady partnerships throughout the batting innings having scored 174 for six wickets completing the inning. Master A.L Nadeeshan representing Sri Lankan side hit a record half a century which certainly led to lay the foundation to victory over visiting young Australian combined Team who could only score 104 runs for being all out at the 19 over due to superb bowling skills of Yong Sri Lankans. It was a good game of cricket and team spirit was at the edge. The falling of wickets one by one due to very well executed bowling order; the excellent fielding and batting were all indications to say without any doubts the Young Cricketers from North and East proved their professionalism in game of Cricket, their dedication to the game and devotion to win is highly admirable. Read More »
High Commissioner challenges ABC progrmame on No Fire Zone, a doctored film by Director Callum Macrae.
July 1, 2013
The High Commissioner challenged the false allegations of the No Fire Zone on the 30th of June 2013 at 10.15 a.m. on a live interview by Mr. Richard Davis. The interview can be watched on video.
Official Visit by Hon. (Prof.) G.L. Peiris MP. Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Parliamentary Delegation to Australia 18th to 22nd June 2013
July 1, 2013
Hon. (Prof.) G.L. Peiris MP., Minister of External Affairs made an official visit to Australia from 18th to 22nd June 2013 accompanied by a delegation of Parliamentarians including Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP. Other Parliamentarians in the delegation were Hon. Lohan Ratwatte MP, Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala MP, and Hon. Wasantha Senenayake MP. Read More »
High Commissioner defending our country on ABC Lateline
April 12, 2013
Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner responding to the recent media reports following the arrival of a boat carrying group of asylum seekers in Geraldton port in Western Australia spoke to the ABC Late line programme 10th April 2013.
The full interview can be watched here:
High Commissioner says Sri Lankans don’t need to seek asylum
Click here to download the video.
Greetings for Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2013
April 12, 2013
On behalf of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency the President’s family, the Government and the Staff of the High Commission of Sri Lanka and on my own behalf, I am very pleased to extend my best wishes to all Sri Lankan community and their families residing in Australia, Read More »
Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia join hands with Cowra City Council in New South Wales to showcase Sri Lanka in the Cowra City
February 27, 2013
Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra at the invitation of the Mayor of the Cowra Shire City Council in New South Wales (NSW), Australia will be participating at the Cowra Festival of International Understanding – 2013 as the Guest Nation.
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra celebrated 65th Anniversary of Independence on 4th February
February 8, 2013
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra celebrated 65th Anniversary of Independence on 4th February in grand scale. Following are the main events organized as part of the celebration:
- The celebration commenced on 4th February morning with the flag hosting ceremony by the High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe at the new Chancery premises in the presence the staff and a large gathering of Sri Lankan expatriates and well-wishers. This was followed by observance of two minutes silence to remember those who contributed towards Independence and to protect Sri Lanka and reading of the message of His Excellency the President in all three languages. Religious observances of all faiths were also conducted. The National Anthem and Jayamangala Gatha were recited by a group of 20 young children. Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner emphasized the realization of sustainable peace supplemented by comprehensive economic and social development programs benefitting the people in all parts of Sri Lanka and he also highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Australia and Sri Lanka and the recent progress made with high level visits of Australian Ministers.
Hon. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia Host Sri Lankan Cricket Team
January 2, 2013
Hon. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia and Partner Mr. Tim Mathieson hosted Sri Lankan and Australian Cricket Teams with their families on the 1st January 2013 at the Kirribilli Admiralty House in Sydney at a Reception to mark the New Year Test Match. This Test Match is incidentally the first ever test match Test Match for Sri Lankan Cricketers in the Sydney Cricket Grounds.
Mahela Jayawardena and Michael Clerk respective team captains addressed the gathering in response to remarks by the host Hon. Julia Gillard.
High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe and Mrs. Malathie Samarasinghe also participated at the above function attended by Federal Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians and other dignitaries from Sydney.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
02-01-2013
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.
RegisterAddress
Sri Lanka High Commission
61, Hampton Circuit
Yarralumla
ACT 2600