High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes the decision of the Government of Canada to retain the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) along with the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as terrorist entities.

According to the recent review, Canada maintains that the remnants of the LTTE have an international fundraising and procurement network that still exists. The review of the WTM notes that the group continues to play a facilitating role in the LTTE’s terrorist activities by fundraising on their behalf. This decision taken following a rigorous review process, reaffirms the continued threat posed by these organizations.

The Government of Canada first listed the LTTE as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code on 6 April 2006 and it is a statutory requirement to undertake a review every five years. The latest review process concluded in June 2024.

The continued listing of the LTTE by the Government of Canada is presently the third consecutive ban on the LTTE in recent times, with the extensions on proscription of the LTTE having also taken place in India and the European Union, in addition to the judgement of dismissal by the Proscribed Organisations and Appeal Commission (POAC) in the United Kingdom on the application made for the de-proscription of the LTTE in the UK, this year.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

15 August 2024

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry undertook an official visit to Egypt from 07-11 August 2024 at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry held productive discussions with his counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty and reviewed bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Egypt.  Both sides noted the potential to expand the relations between the two countries by fostering closer links in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, archaeology, maritime transport, renewable energy, and climate change. The two Ministers also discussed on regional and global issues of shared interest and on further strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora.

Upon completion of the bilateral talks, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry joined Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty in the signing ceremony of the MoU between the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) and the Institute for Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. The MoU aims to strengthen and consolidate cooperation in the fields of diplomatic training, capacity building, research and studies in diplomacy between the two countries.

Minister Sabry engaged in discussions with Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib and the President of the General Authority of Free Zones and Investment (GAFI) on avenues to enhance cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries and took note of prospective sectors of mutual interest, the importance of exchange of trade delegations and early convening of trade consultations mechanism. During these interactions, the Egyptian side commended on Sri Lankan private sector investments in Egypt and asserted their fullest cooperation to boost Sri Lankan investments in Egypt and overcome any challenges they may face. 

During the visit, Minister Ali Sabry met with His Eminence Dr. Shawky Ibrahim Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt and exchanged views on matters related to religious cooperation, cultural links, combating extremism & radicalization, promoting peaceful coexistence and enhancing closer people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and Egypt.

Secretary (CPV & OIA) & G20 operations of Ministry of External Affairs of India Mr. Muktesh Pardeshi chaired the valedictory ceremony of the 1^st Special Course for the Diplomats & Officers from Sri Lanka and presented them with the certificate of participation at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service in New Delhi on 13^th August 2024.

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