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

HE the President addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, 23 September 2011

Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info)

Monday, 26 September 2011 06:56

Statement by H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka at the General Debate of the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly.

Mr. President of the Sixty Sixth Session of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Your Excellency Nassir Abdul Aziz Al-Nasser on your assumption of the Presidency. I must also congratulate His Excellency Ban-ki-Moon warmly on his re-election as Secretary-General and we look forward to working with him constructively.

As we gather here today, it is appropriate to reflect on the values and ideals which inspire the United Nations system. One of the principal attributes is the spirit of flexibility which has always been a feature of the United Nations.

We must acknowledge the need for that spirit of openness and adaptability today, more than at any other time. This is because the foundations of the world order, are being transformed dramatically and fundamentally. At the heart of these changes is the need to protect smaller countries in the developing world and to advance their interests vigorously.

In the midst of uncertainty there are some things which must remain constant. These reflect our esteemed beliefs and convictions. Despite repeated references in this Assembly by many member countries on the right of the Palestinian people to a State of their own within secure borders, we still have not been able to make it a reality.

It is a matter for profound disappointment that this has not yet happened. There is a window of opportunity now and we must make use of it before it is too late. It is time for decisive action rather than more discussion. This will be in the interest of the security and the well being of the entire region including Israel.

Monday, 26 September 2011 06:50

Sri Lanka President has arrived in New York

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:48

20110921095553_pre

President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa has arrived in New York to attend the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The President and the delegation were warmly welcomed by Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mission in New York Dr.Palitha Kohona, Deputy Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva and the staff of the mission.

President Rajapakse attended the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative on 20 September 2011.

Established in 2005 by former US President Bill Clinton, the CGI is a premier global gathering for current and former heads of state, chief executives of corporations, philanthropists and directors of non-profit organizations.

Former President Clinton warmly received President Rajapaksa and thanked Sri Lanka for the cooperation extended in forming the CGI.

During this seventh meeting in New York, participants will discuss a detailed plan for addressing major global challenges in the areas of economic empowerment, education, environment and energy, and global health.

Several leaders including US President Barack Obama, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, South African President Jacob Zuma, General Secretary for National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu will participate in the two-day meeting.

During the meeting held on 20 September, the Standard Chartered Bank announced that it will raise US$ 100 million by 2020 to build sustainable eye-care services across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The plenary session led by former President Clinton was focused on climate change.

The UN General Assembly opened on Tuesday September 13, its 66th session at the UN Headquarters in New York with the participation of 193 member countries. The High Level meeting of the General Assembly with the participation of World Leaders will be held on September 22 & 23.

Sri Lanka condemns attack on Delhi High Court

Thursday, 08 September 2011 03:27

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh condemned the attack on Delhi High Court.

7 September 2011

H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of the Republic of India

Your Excellency,

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in condemning in the strongest terms, the terrorist attack this morning, outside the Delhi High Court.

We stand in solidarity with the Government and the people of India. We will continue to be an active partner in working towards combating violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and safeguarding the security of the peace-loving people of our region.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were wounded and with the victims and their families.

Please accept Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Bengaluru inaugurated

Monday, 29 August 2011 12:09

Government of Sri Lanka with the concurrence of Governments of India and the State of Karnataka has appointed Dr. K. Sudhakar as the Hony. Consul for Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

On 26th August High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam ceremonially inaugurated the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Bengaluru situated at :

Royal Orchid, # 371

2^nd Floor, 13^th Cross, 8^th Main

Upper Palace Orchards

Sadashivanagar

Bangalore 560 080.

Tel : 91-80-40979688

Fax : 91-80-40996755

Mobile : 91-9845204040

E-mail: HonConsulSL@gmail.com

On 27^th August evening, a grand event was held at the Banquet Hall of Hotel Sheraton in Bengaluru in celebration of the appointment of Dr. Sudhakar as Honorary Consul and to present the Commission of Appointment.

Hon. Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Monitoring Member of Parliament for Ministry of External Affairs was the Guest of Honour at this event, which included the handing over of the Commission of Appointment, a cultural performance depicting cultures of both India and Sri Lanka as well as a Banquet. This was attended by a large cross section of senior personalities of Bengaluru as well as representatives of several countries, including Ambassadors of Peru, Uruguay and Paraguay based in New Delhi.

In his welcome remarks High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam stressed the importance of relations with Southern States of India. In this context Sri Lanka view Karnataka as an important location, bordering all Southern States, to promote relations with Southern India.

In his Key Note address, Hon. Sajin Vass Gunawardena highlighted that after three decades of conflict, Sri Lanka, having eradicated terrorism, is now resurging as a vibrant economy and an ideal location for business, investment and tourism and expressed the hope that people of Southern States especially Karnataka will utilize the opportunities available in Sri Lanka for the benefit of both India and Sri Lanka.

The new Hony. Consul will further facilitate business, trade and people to people contacts between Sri Lanka and Karnataka.