All night Pirith Chanting at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra

December 23, 2012

All night “Pirith Chanting” Ceremony to bless Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka and Australia, the newly constructed Chancery building of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra and all those who made the supreme sacrifice and suffered injuries to bring peace to our motherland was held on 21^st December 2012 at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra ,Australia under the patronage and the participation of the Most Venerable Udugama Rathnapala Sri Buddharakkitabhidhana Maha Nayaka Thero of Mahavihara Vansika Shyamopali Maha Nayake, Asgiriya Chapter and eighteen Buddhist priest from Australia and Sri Lanka. Read More »

Sri Lanka – Australia Bilateral Relations Scale New Heights

December 12, 2012

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Senator Bob Carr, on the evening of 16th December at the Ministry of External Affairs prior to the inauguration of the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on People Smuggling and Transnational Crime on 17th December at the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia was on an official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Prof. Peiris from 14th to 17th December 2012.
The bilateral talks were marked by friendship, mutual respect and understanding. Both sides noted with satisfaction the close dialogue between the two countries which had injected new strength and vitality to a multifaceted relationship and the visit was viewed as a further reinforcement of these close ties. Building on this positive drive emphasis was placed by both parties on enhancing bilateral co-operation in a number of spheres spanning defence, trade, investments tourism, culture, agriculture, education etc. The visiting Foreign Minister called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 17th afternoon and also had comprehensive discussions with the Minister of Economic Development and Secretary of Defence and Urban Development. Read More »

President Rajapaksa launches Commonwealth Business Forum 2013

November 21, 2012

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) 2013 in Colombo on Thursday 11th October with a video projecting Sri Lanka’s resurgence as a regional economic and trading hub. This was preceded by a video presentation of President Rajapaksa’s keynote address to the CBF Session in Perth last year on “The Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim: Fastest Growing Markets”. The President on that occasion noted that Asia’s fast growth track cannot be sustained unless these nations continue to take the right steps and the current political and economic leaders have a responsibility in guiding the Asian nations to prosperity. Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa observed, has provided clarity and confidence to the stakeholders and implemented balanced policies that embraced all vital aspects of the economy.

Delivering the keynote address, External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said that Sri Lanka presently is enjoying to the fullest measure the fruits of peace and stability after eradicating terrorism which had taken root for nearly three decades, and the principal challenge facing the Government is to make it possible for all its people to join in a spirit of inclusivity to enjoy these benefits. Read More »

Sri Lanka Design Festival – 2012, November 15 -18, 2012, Mount Lavinia Hotel

November 21, 2012

The Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) is part of the “design for sustainable development” initiative undertaken by the Academy of Design (AOD) campus.
Significantly, the annual event showcases creative work from all over the country and will provide a platform to demonstrate and promote Sri Lankan products. Particularly this initiative can be a demonstration of Government/Private Sector nexus for the improvement of livelihoods of people in the former conflict zone.
The project aims to provide better livelihoods for Northern artisans by improving traditional crafts with design integration. To achieve this AOD commissions international and local product and accessory designers who are knowledgeable in international market trends and therefore are capable of assisting in adding value to high-end products. An example of such a collaboration is the assistance given to palmyra weavers in the North. The products from the North are exported and also are sent to the local market.
The Ministry of Economic Development has recognized the SLDF as an important tool to enhance small and medium enterprises. It has also been recognized as an important livelihood enhancement initiative for the people in the former conflict zone.
The SLDF envisages to create many networking opportunities between buyers and sellers, both local and international, and offer a fora of one to one business interactions that would link manufacturers with designers.
In this regard the Ministry of External Affairs would highly encourage you to promote this event among potential buyers and designers from your countries of accreditation.
You may also wish to link the following site to the Mission website www.srilankadesignfestival.com
For further information and registrations please contact SLDF’s main focal point Ms. Linda Speldewinde at linda@aod.lk” or Telephone: +94 11 586 7772

Deepavali Celebrated in Canberra, Australia

November 21, 2012

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra, Australia celebrated the Deepavali, “The festival of Lights” at the Vishnu Shiva Mandhir Mawson Drive, Mawson on 16th November 2012. A cross- section of the Sri Lankan Tamil community resident in Canberra, the representatives of the Sri Lankan Associations and the officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade were present at the event.

The celebrations were held in keeping with the tradition of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Australia of celebrating the important festivals of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian.

Mandhir priest Shri Pradeep Bhat, conducted the religious observances and offered blessings and harmony among all communities in Sri Lanka. Following the Hindu religious ceremony, the cultural items including musical programmes, Bharatanatyam and Sinhala dances organized by this Mission were performed. Mr. Krishna Nadakumar sang a number of devotional songs and Ms. Prathiba Nagapushan, Mr. Saravanan Kandasamy, Mr.Sukumar Subramaniam and Mr. Nagapushan played musical instruments. Miss. Nadeesha Samarasinghe presented solo Bharatanatyam with a devotional song to Goddess Saraswathy and the students of Mrs. Bhagya Palihawadana performed a beautiful dance on Unity of Sri Lanka. Read More »

Website and IT Support Services

October 7, 2011

Anti-Chos Solutions  which is a IT support Canberra company that will provide technology, consulting and systems integration services to the SL High Commission. Services will also include website design service where the high commission will find efficiencies through reduced number of phone call inquiries on consular services etc. Website will be developed by a leading web design canberra company, Rize Design.