Welcome to the official website of High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Foreign Minister provides an update on current developments in Sri Lanka to Colombo-based Diplomatic Corps

Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info)

Tuesday, 27 August 2024 00:00

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry convened a briefing on current developments in Sri Lanka for the Colombo-based diplomatic corps on Friday, 23 August 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the briefing, Minister Sabry emphasized several significant achievements across various fronts during the past year, including advancements in economic recovery, legal reforms and the strengthening of domestic institutions and mechanisms focused on reconciliation.

Minister Sabry highlighted that the Government has taken concerted efforts towards the establishment of a Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation including gazetting the draft bill, and tabling it in the Parliament. As the Minister of Justice, he reiterated the progress that has been achieved in drafting comprehensive legislation on counter terrorism to replace the PTA, and notable progress on matters related to reconciliation processes coming under the purview of the Ministry of Justice, including the advancements made by the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations (OR) and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).

Tuesday, 20 August 2024 19:58

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with Geopolitical Cartographer, will hold the Central Asia Forum, on August 21, 2024, at the Granbell Hotel, Colombo.

With its strategic location, Central Asia is poised to play an important role in the future of Eurasian connectivity. The event is expected to offer perspectives and insights that will shape the future of Sri Lanka's engagement with the region.

Comprising two sessions, the event is set to explore the strategic role of Central Asia in Eurasia and beyond with particular emphasis on the emergence of new transport and logistics corridors. As Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen its economic ties with this region, the forum will also delve into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, with a special focus on building synergies that can drive mutual growth and prosperity.

The Forum is being held following a recent decision to establish a resident diplomatic mission of Sri Lanka in Kazakhstan and the conclusion of Foreign Office consultations with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Secretary/Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane will provide opening remarks and the Minister of Foreign Affairs M U M Ali Sabry will deliver an address at the event, highlighting Sri Lanka’s priorities in the region.

This event will bring together policymakers, thought leaders, business persons and experts including Ambassador Doulat Kuanyshev, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Expert, Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Secretariat, Erik Solheim, International Advisory Council Member, Geopolitical Cartographer, Darkhan Seitenov, Deputy Head of Mission of the Kazakhstan Embassy in New Delhi, Ravinatha Aryasinha, Executive Director/LKI, Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja, Board Member Geopolitical Cartographer, Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman/ Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Krishan Thilakaratne, Director of LOLC- Central Asia, for insightful exchanges on emerging opportunities in the region.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

19 August 2024

Response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Judgement by the Australian Federal Court with regard to a case filed against the former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra

Saturday, 17 August 2024 17:55

The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to the recent media reports regarding a judgement given by the Australian Federal Court in a case against the former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that it is the standard practice that diplomats are facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take domestic assistants to assist their official representational duties. The domestic assistant in question served a full three-year term, and on the eve of the employer’s originally intended departure from Australia, absconded the residence of the employer.

The allowance approved by the Ministry as the salary of the employee has been paid to her. The Ministry is satisfied that the said salary was paid to the domestic assistant by the employer as mutually agreed.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

17 August 2024

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summons the Canadian High Commissioner to register Sri Lanka’s strongest objections on the so-called construction of a Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, Canada

Friday, 16 August 2024 00:00

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner today, 16 August 2024, to reiterate Sri Lanka’s strong objections conveyed on several occasions previously to the laying of foundation stone for the construction of a so – called Tamil Genocide Monument at the Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Canada on 14 August 2024.

Foreign Minister Sabry emphasized that the Government of Sri Lanka categorically rejects this outrageously false narrative, which is being perpetuated for vote bank politics within Canada. Minister Sabry noted that ill-advised action by the City Council of Brampton is offensive to all peace-loving people in Canada and Sri Lanka. The so-called allegation of a genocide in Sri Lanka is a fabrication based on malicious disinformation and is not substantiated by any responsible authority, nationally or internationally.

The Government of Sri Lanka has consistently engaged in efforts to foster reconciliation and build lasting peace following the end of the conflict despite the economic crisis in the country for the last two years, and such divisive action undermines those efforts by glorifying terrorism and sowing discord and mistrust which democratic countries, including Sri Lanka and Canada, cannot endorse.

The Foreign Minister requested that the Government of Canada intervene and take action to prevent the construction of this monument in recognizing the damaging impact of this narrative on bilateral relations and to take immediate action to prevent further harm.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

16 August 2024

Government of Sri Lanka welcomes Canada’s decision to retain LTTE as a terrorist entity

Thursday, 15 August 2024 00:00

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

More Articles...