Tuesday, 08 February 2011 03:24 |
Text of the Address by H E Prasad Kariyawasam, High Commissioner at the Seminar on 'Business Development and Investment Opportunities in Sri Lanka' organised by the Andra Chamber of Commerce at Gitam University, Visakhapatnam on 26 February 2011.
Mr Chairman,
Members of the Andra Chamber of Commerce,
Dear students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to be here in Visakhapatnam, the city that is often called the Jewel on the Coromandel Coast. This is a region with which my country, Sri Lanka, shares ancient links. For that reason, being here holds special significance for me. My sincere thanks therefore to the Andra Chamber of Commerce and the GITAM University for this initiative and for the warm hospitality and reception.
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Sunday, 06 February 2011 03:59 |
The 63rd Anniversary of Independence was celebrated in the Indian capital with a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony in the morning of 4 Februay 2011 and a reception in the evening with the participation of the leading Indian representatives of all the important spheres, foreign diplomats and the Sri Lankan community in New Delhi at the premises of the Sri Lanka High Commission.
High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam hoisted the national flag, amidst the sounds of Magul Bera played by the members of Sri Lanka Navy cultural troupe. After national anthem was sung by the gathering, Buddhist monks headed by Ven Kahawatte Sumedha Thero chanted seth pirith.
Addressing the gathering, quoting from President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s message High Commissioner Kariyawasam said that the anniversary of independence is a day the whole nation could rejoice and rededicate to safeguard independence. He added that it is of paramount importance to accelerate the work on nation-building to fulfill the aspirations of the people. “The aspiration of the nation is to make more meaningful the freedom won with much sacrifice,” he said.
The President stated that the first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka, Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake taking over the nation said that freedom has been obtained to relieve the pain and increase contentment of the people regardless of ethnic, party or religious differences. “This is the worthy aim of any nation that seeks freedom. It is of paramount importance to accelerate the work on nation-building to fulfill this aim. The march towards making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia should speed up as each step taken for development is a step towards freedom.”
The chief guest at the reception in the evening was Ms Kumari Selja, Minister of Culture and Urban Housing Development. She also released a ‘Sri Lanka Special Report’ published by the premier Hindi newspaper Jagran which has a circulation of over 2 million copies. While the Navy cultural troupe comprising of dancers and drummers kept the vast audience enthralled with scintillation dances and reverberating drum music, the guests were treated to Sri Lankan delicacies.
The wide coverage given by the Indian media included a live telecast of an interview with High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam by the pioneer television channel of India, the Doordarshan in its nation-wide channel. The High Commissioner’s message was broadcast by the Rajdhani (Capital) service of All India Radio. |
Friday, 04 February 2011 05:39 |
‘Inconvenient and difficult decisions also necessary for nation’s progress’
The people of our country must change their attitudes about future progress of the country, similar to the manner in which they began to think afresh about achieving victory over the forces of terror. There is the need for an enormous attitudinal change from children to adults to achieve national development, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the nation at the 63rd celebration of Independence in Kataragama today (4 Feb).
This is the true freedom that we believe in, he stressed.
Similar to the success of our conviction that terrorism could be defeated, we have also shown our ability to build large power stations at Norochcholai, Upper Kothmale and Kerawalapitiya, build massive ports in Hambantota and Colombo, develop major irrigation schemes as in Moragahakanda and Uma Oya, and make our cities clean, he said.
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Thursday, 03 February 2011 12:44 |
Sri Lanka and Dominican Republic established formal Diplomatic Relations today (3 February 2011).
The Memorandum of Understanding establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi by Carlos Morales Troncoso, Minister of External Affairs of the Dominican Republic who is in India on an official visit, and High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in India, Prasad Kariyawasam.
Sri Lanka and Dominican Republic will shortly designate concurrent Ambassadors to represent the two countries.
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Monday, 31 January 2011 09:17 |
India and Sri Lanka agreed to convene the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fishing at an early date to address various issues relating to fishing by the two sides. This was decided during the visit of Foreign Secretary of India, Mrs. Nirupama Rao to Sri Lanka on 30-31 January 2011.
The Joint Working Group would also address the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries. It was decided as well to enhance and promote contacts between the fishermen’s associations on both sides, since such contacts have proved to be mutually beneficial.
During her visit, she called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris. She also met Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and External Affairs Secretary Mr. C.R. Jayasinghe.
To read the Joint Statement :
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