The High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka has officially relocated to No. 6, Srimath R. G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, the mission announced.

In a statement on ‘X’, the High Commission said it looks forward to welcoming visitors at the new premises. (Newswire)

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The Australian High Commission in Colombo today hosted a Vesak Dansal, serving iced lattes to the public on Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7.

High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth personally handed out the drinks as part of the Vesak tradition.

Crowds gathered at the mission’s premises to take part in the Dansal, which marked a symbolic gesture of goodwill during the Buddhist festival. (Newswire/ Images- Ranga Srilal)

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The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London has formally honoured the promotion of Brigadier B.D. Fernando USP Hdmc psc, Minister Counsellor (Defence) at the Mission, to the rank of Major General in the Sri Lanka Army.

Major General Fernando, who joined the Army in 1993, brings over three decades of distinguished service in operational command, defence leadership, and international peacekeeping. 

His career includes appointments as Brigade Commander and Centre Commandant of the Sri Lanka Signal Corps.

High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera felicitated Major General Fernando at a ceremony held at the High Commission on Monday (11), presenting the insignia in the presence of family, friends, and staff members.

The High Commission extended its warm congratulations, noting the significance of the milestone and wishing Major General Fernando continued success in his service to the nation. (Newswire)

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The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra conducted a mobile consular service in Sydney, New South Wales, recently (26) for the convenience of the approximately 30,000 Sri Lankans living in Sydney. 

According to the Sri Lankan High Commission, this initiative formed part of the High Commission’s broader efforts to enhance consular services for Sri Lankans living in Australia.

The mobile consular service was conducted at the Sinhalese Cultural Forum of New South Wales in Seven Hills, Sydney, which is an area where a large number of Sri Lankans live. Volunteers from the Sinhalese Cultural Forum, along with other associations in Sydney, including the Tamil and Muslim communities, assisted officers of the Sri Lankan High Commission in successfully conducting the service.

The mobile consular service received an enthusiastic response from the Sri Lankan community, with a large number of individuals in attendance. 

Approximately 120 persons were assisted with a range of consular services, including passport applications, birth certificate issuance, and dual citizenship applications.

The Sri Lankan High Commission states that the feedback received from the Sri Lankan community indicated that the mobile consular service was highly valued and deeply appreciated by Sri Lankans living in New South Wales. (Newswire)

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Australia’s Foreign Ministry has announced the appointment of Matthew Duckworth as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, said in a statement that Sri Lanka is a key partner for Australia in the Northeast Indian Ocean. 

“Our relationship is based on strong community links, our longstanding development partnership, growing trade and investment ties, and our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region,” she said. 

Foreign Minister Penny Wong further said that Australia and Sri Lanka work closely together to find practical solutions to shared regional and global challenges, including transnational crime, regional maritime security and people smuggling.

“Our countries also share strong people-to-people ties, and Australia’s Sri Lankan community of more than 160,000 people makes an important and valued contribution to Australia’s multicultural society,” she said.

Australia’s next High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Matthew Duckworth, is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary, United States Trade Taskforce and Deputy Chief Negotiator, Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement. He has previously served overseas in Indonesia and Cambodia. (Newswire)

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The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo says it will not respond to the protests held in front of its premises this week, over the recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.

Issuing a statement, a Spokesman of the Pakistan High Commission said the elements orchestration and creating divisions neither have any regard for the harmony of society nor any respect for the rules and local laws.

“It is not a secret who instigated and sponsored those innocent people to be part of the protest, most of whom did not even know where they were and why they were there at all,” the Spokesman said. 

The Spokesman further said Pakistan does not want to be part of any activity, including staging protests, which would disturb the daily routine of the peaceful and brotherly people of Sri Lanka. 

The statement comes after protests were held in front of the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday (30 Apr) and today (02 May) over the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed.

Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan over the incident, with both nations engaging in tit-for-tat hostilities. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lankan government has established a High Commission in Wellington, with consular services set to begin on 03 March 2025. 

According to a notice from the Sri Lankan High Commission in Wellington, the new office is at Level 8, No. 38, Petherick Tower, Waring Taylor Street, Wellington Central.  

The consular counter will be open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, excluding public holidays. 

Services will include passport processing, birth registrations, dual citizenship applications, pension-related matters, powers of attorney, and affidavits.  

The Sri Lankan High Commission states applications can be submitted in person by appointment or by registered post, while payments must be made to the official bank account of the High Commission within three working days of receiving confirmation.  

For further inquiries, the High Commission in Wellington can be contacted via email at slhc.wellington@mfa.gov.lk or by phone at 021 081 43 469 between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. (Newswire)

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In a gesture of solidarity, the High Commission of India in Colombo extended relief assistance to the people of the Northern Province, responding to the recent floods that caused displacement and hardship. 

According to the Indian High Commission, on behalf of it, the distribution was carried out by the Consul General of India in Jaffna Shri. Sai Murali, alongside MP Kader Masthan yesterday.

Approximately 2,100 families from flood-affected areas in Pesalai and Vellankulam villages (Mannar District) and Thunukkai and Manthai East (Mullaitivu District) received essential aid. 

The relief package included mats and blankets, providing much-needed support to families during this difficult time.

The Indian High Commission states this assistance reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing India’s “Neighborhood First” policy. 

The High Commission added that India remains committed to standing by its neighbours in times of need, ensuring timely and effective relief to affected communities. (Newswire)

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A delegation of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) has engaged in a discussion with the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha during which the latter provided a briefing on various bilateral initiatives between India and Sri Lanka.

In a post on ‘X’, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said: “High Commissioner @santjha interacted with JVP leaders and briefed them about various bilateral initiatives between #India & #SriLanka and developments in India.”

The NPP delegation included Sunil Handunnetti, Vijitha Herath, Wasantha Samarasinghe and other members.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India in February, where he interacted with several high-ranking Indian officials. 

During his visit, MP Dissanayake met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, while he also undertook observation tours to several Indian facilities. 

MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited India for a five-day visit on an invitation extended by the Indian government, the first time that a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader received an official invitation from the Government of India. (Newswire)

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The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has announced the acceptance of applications for academic courses in India for Sri Lankan Students under the Self-Financing Scheme for the academic year 2024-25.

Issuing a statement, the Indian High Commission said Sri Lankan students, excluding PIO/OCI Card holders & NRIs, can apply for the courses. 

The Indian High Commission has invited applications from eligible Sri Lankan students for Undergraduate Courses in MBBS, BDS, BE, B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Arch, Diploma level Technical courses and Diploma in Pharmacy courses under the Self Financing Scheme.

Candidates who wish to apply for MBBS/BDS courses need to have at least 50th percentile in NEET exam and 50% each in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English in A/L.

BE/B.Tech and Diploma in engineering candidates require a minimum of 60% each in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and 50% in English in A/L. 

For B.Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy, a minimum of 60% each in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and 50% in English in A/L are required.

B.Arch aspirants have to mandatorily clear the aptitude test prescribed by the Council of Architecture, New Delhi.

Interested candidates could obtain the application forms from the Education Wing of the High Commission of India, Colombo on any working day between 14.00 and 16.00 hrs on production of G.C.E. O/L, A/L certificates and birth certificates.

The last date for receipt of complete application forms with all supportive documents at the High Commission is June 18, 2024. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka and India have exchanged diplomatic notes to fast-track the implementation of the Establishment of Modern Computer Labs and Smart Boards with Customized Curriculum Software in 200 Schools in the Galle District.

According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the diplomatic notes were exchanged between the High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay and the Secretary, Ministry of Education, M.N Ranasinghe yesterday (19).

The Exchange of notes will further streamline and expedite the implementation of the Project, by aligning the procurement processes in accordance with the framework prescribed by the Government of Sri Lanka. 

The Project, which is being implemented through Government of India grant assistance, aims to improve digital literacy among students attending schools in the lesser privileged areas. This is one among several grant projects undertaken by the Government of India in the education sphere in Sri Lanka.

Minister of Industries and Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was present on the occasion, while Deputy High Commissioner, Vinod K. Jacob and officials from the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Education also participated.

The Indian High Commission stated that India’s overall development assistance to Sri Lanka currently stands at around USD 5 billion with nearly USD 600 million being in grants. 

Close to 65 grant projects have already been carried out across the 25 districts of the country and over 20 grant projects are at various stages of implementation. 

Indian Housing Project and the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service are among the flagship grant projects implemented by the Government of India in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lankan High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena was awarded the Diplomat of the Year from Asia & Oceania at the prestigious DIPLOMAT magazine annual Awards Ceremony 2023 at the Royal Over-Seas League on Monday (24).

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London said in a statement that the Awards Ceremony recognises outstanding work and achievements of London’s diplomatic community who are trying to better their nations’ well-being and is in its thirteenth year.  

DIPLOMAT magazine identified 10 categories that recognise different levels of diplomacy, and winners were nominated by their fellow diplomats. 

Referring to London as the global centre for diplomacy, with over 180 diplomatic missions DIPLOMAT’s Editor, Venetia de Blocq van Kuffeler stated that a posting in London remains one of the highlights of any diplomat’s career. She added that the winners are testimony to their hard work, dedication and professionalism.

Saroja Sirisena previously served as Ambassador to Austria and Consul General in Mumbai as well as serving in Sri Lanka’s Missions in Paris, Brussels and Geneva.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London further stated that over 150 guests including Heads of Mission and diplomats from over 80 countries attended the Awards Ceremony. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, in partnership with the Australian government, arranged the illumination of the iconic Australian National monuments in the colours of the Sri Lankan National flag from the 03rd to the 6th of February 2023.

According to the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, the iconic Australian National monuments were illuminated to mark the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence and the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic relations between Australia and Sri Lanka. 

Twelve (12) national monuments from Canberra (The Royal Australian Mint, Old Parliament, and Carillion); Melbourne (Flinders Street Railway Station); Queensland (Parliament, City Hall) and; Perth (Council House and five bridges) were lit up in the Sri Lankan flag colours to mark this historic milestone.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra said in a statement that the illumination of iconic monuments symbolized the longstanding mutually rewarding friendship between Australia and Sri Lanka.

On 04 February, the High Commission commemorated the 75th Anniversary of independence at the Sri Lanka High Commission premises with the participation of the representatives of the Sri Lankan community in Canberra and the officials of the Sri Lanka Tri forces who are presently undergoing training in Australia. The celebration commenced with the flag hoisting ceremony followed by the singing of the national anthem in Sinhala and Tamil languages and multi-faith religious observances.  

Speaking at the occasion, Acting High Commissioner Chamari Rodrigo said Sri Lanka marked a historic milestone for the country in the midst of a myriad of challenges on the economic front. She appealed that, even though the economic situation doesn’t warrant a grand celebration, it is clearly a time to reflect on the post-independence years; rectify our failures and for the citizens to re-dedicate themselves to ensure their country’s well-being for the future.

The Acting High Commissioner also highlighted the enduring bilateral partnership between Australia and Sri Lanka which rests on the strong foundation of people-to-people connectivity and shared values. “The illumination of so many monuments together in the Sri Lankan flag colours, for the first time in Australia, signified 75 years of mutually respectful partnership with Australia which is home to a large Sri Lankan expatriate community. The Sri Lanka High Commission extends its sincere appreciation to Australia for its warm gesture”, she added.

SriLankan Airlines & the Australia – Sri Lanka Association in Canberra (ASLA) supported the illumination project by encouraging the Sri Lankan community to capture the unique moment through photography/videography. SriLankan airlines sponsored a return air ticket to Sri Lanka for the winner of the best photograph.   

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra stated that it considers the occasion of lighting up iconic monuments in Australia in Sri Lanka flag colours as momentous and historic. (NewsWire)

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