High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a condolence message on the tragic demise of His Excellency Lech Kaczynski, President of the Republic of Poland, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and several others, including members of Parliament, members of the clergy and senior civilian and military officials in a plane crash.

The full text of the message

His Excellency Bronislaw Komorowski
Acting President of the Republic of Poland

It was with deep distress that I learned the devastating news of the plane crash that led to the tragic demise of His Excellency Lech Kaczynski, President of the Republic of Poland, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and several others, including Members of Parliament, members of the clergy and senior civilian and military officials.

The late President played an important role in the entrenchment of democratic governance and the dawn of the post communist era in Poland. His contribution to his nation that in turn also facilitated Poland’s regaining her due place both in Europe and in the rest of the international community will long be remembered.

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in conveying our heartfelt sorrow on this sad occasion to the Government and People of Poland and to the bereaved families.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

People are being resettled in several areas of the North and 2216 people who were displaced due to LTTE’s unlawful reign of terror will be resettled in Karachchi area in Kilinochchi, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Rishad Bathiudeen said.

He pointed out that, they will be provided financial assistance of 50,000 Rupees and dry rations, adequate for 6 months. Already 175,000 people have been resettled in the north.

Arrangements are underway for the speedy resettlement of the remaining 60,000 people. The project covers Ganeshapuram, Kattayamalei, Muttu-vinayagapuram villages and Pannikulam and Indupuram areas in East Mankulam. 

Resettlement of people has been completed in four Grama Seva divisions at Oddusudan in Mulaitivu. Another 3,000 people will be resettled at Mulleyaweli from Monday. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, who is on a two day visit to Sri Lanka from 18-19 February 2010, met with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry on 18th February 2010. In keeping with SAARC tradition, the Foreign Minister of Bhutan is scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa who currently holds the Chair of SAARC, on 19 February, to hand over an invitation from the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Yoser Thinley, for the 16th SAARC Summit which will be held in Thimphu from 28-29 April 2010. 

Welcoming the Foreign Minister of Bhutan to Sri Lanka, Minister Bogollagama assured him of Sri Lanka’s wholehearted support as Bhutan prepares to assume the Chair of SAARC for the first time since the inception of the Association.

The two ministers discussed a range of issues pertaining to SAARC including the theme of the 16th Summit which is ‘Climate Change’.

Discussions also covered progress on the establishment of the Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in Thimphu. With the establishment of the Secretariat, it is envisaged that the Fund will begin active operation in serving as the umbrella institution for SAARC projects and programmes.

Foreign Minister Tshering conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister of Bhutan to Minister Bogollagama and congratulated Sri Lanka for the active stewardship of the Association during the last 18 months since assuming the Chair of SAARC in August 2008. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary and senior officials were also associated with the meeting.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
18th February 2010

The grand Reception held at the High Commission in New Delhi to celebrate this year’s Independence and the National Day was attended by a cross section of distinguished personalities in New Delhi and the diplomatic community.  Union Cabinet Minister of Human Resource Development of India, Kapil Sibal represented the Government of India as the Chief Guest.  The event included a Cultural Show presented by Sri Lanka Navy Cultural Troupe and was embellished with authentic specialty Sri Lanka cuisine prepared by the two prominent chefs from Sri Lanka.

Chief Guest of Sri Lanka’s National Day Celebrations in New Delhi, Union Cabinet Minister of Human Resource Development of India,  Kapil Sibal, greeting High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam on the occasion.