High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda met with the Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley on 7 December 2020 at the Foreign Ministry. The two Ministers discussed matters of mutual interest with the Indian High Commissioner, mainly focussing on the Palk Strait fisheries issue and possible post Covid-19 mutual cooperation.

It was agreed to find solutions to the existing fisheries matters through the established bilateral mechanisms, including the Ministerial-level India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries. The fourth Meeting of the Bilateral Working Group on Fisheries that was scheduled for last January was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Both sides endorsed to convene the Working Group meeting virtually at the earliest, while assurances were given to maintain the standard procedures in dealing with mid-sea encounters.

During the post pandemic period,  Sri Lanka Tourism intends to engage prospective travelers through " live streaming programs" by sharing and engaging content of our many attractions and resources. 

The objective of the initiative is for travellers to engage with brand "Sri Lanka" virtually and have a positive experience that would keep Sri Lanka as their "must travel" destination once the borders open for visitors. 

Accordingly, Sri Lanka Tourism will commence by showcasing our rich flora and fauna through virtual tours of Minneriya, Kaudulla, Udawalawe and Yala National Park. 

The virtual tours titled " Go on a couch safari" will showcase Sri Lanka wildlife to the world through the wildlife streaming programme starting from 4th November to 13th November 2020.

The streaming website - www.srilanka.travel/wildlife streaming. No Registration Fee.

Sri Lanka - India Joint Statement on Virtual Bilateral Summit

Mitratva Magga -Path of Friendship: Towards Growth and Prosperity

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of India, H.E. Narendra Modi held a Virtual Summit today in which they discussed bilateral relations and regional & international issues of mutual concern.

2. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on his assumption of office of Prime Minister with a decisive mandate at the Parliamentary Election held in Sri Lanka in August 2020. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude for the good wishes and conveyed his keenness to work together closely with Prime Minister Modi.

• Global community must stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka to counter terrorism
• As a nation that witnessed the bitterness of war, SL is committed to promote peace across the world
• Vigilant on transnational drug trafficking
• Once developed, universal access to COVID – 19 vaccine is vital  

“Democratically elected governments of nations understand the pulse and needs of their people the best. It is the responsibility of the UN to assist and support processes of such elected Governments to bring about sustainable solutions for needs of their people” President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in  pre-recorded address to the General Debate of the 75th General Assembly on the United Nations today (23).

Sri Lanka is committed to follow a neutral foreign policy with no affiliations to any particular country or power bloc, President reiterated.