News

Independence Day Celebrations in Ottawa

Canada calls upon Members of the Sri Lankan Tamil Community to develop creative ideas about how to contribute constructively

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa celebrated the 64^th Anniversary of Independence on 4^th February at the High Commissioner’s Residence with the participation of the High Commission Staff and their families and the main Office Bearers of the Sri Lanka Canada Association of Ottawa.

Outside the snow covered grounds of the official residence the programme commenced with hoisting of the National Flag, and singing of the National Anthem. Religious observances of the Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian religions, the reading of the Messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were followed by a brief speech by the High Commissioner who spoke on the current developments in Sri Lanka, and urged the Sri Lankan community to extend their support to their Motherland.

On the 8^th of February a grand function was held at the Theatre of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa which was attended by over 500 participants. The Guest of Honour was Hon. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who was joined by Mr. Mac Harb, Senator and, Ms Louise Brown, Member of Parliament. The other participants were Canadian Government Officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, invitees from the corporate sector, the media and the Sri Lankan community.

Visit of Canadian Parliamentary Delegation to Sri Lanka

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On the invitation of the Acting Minister of External Affairs Hon. Neomal Perera, a Parliamentary delegation from Canada comprising Hon. Chungen Leung (M.P.), Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multiculturalism and Deputy Minister of the Government of Canada, Hon. Joe Daniel (M.P.), and Marlene Gallyot, Member of the Conservative Party visited Sri Lanka from 8th to 11th January, 2012. The delegation paid a courtesy call on the Acting Minister at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa celebrates Thai Pongal

HC with the priest

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa celebrated Thai Pongal which is the harvest festival generally celebrated by Hindus all over the world.

The event was held on Saturday 21st January 2012 at the High Commissioner’s Residence. The invitees included Sri Lankan Pensioners living in Ottawa.

Channa Wijewardena performance in Ottawa

Dance-poster

Issue of a Personalised Stamp in Canada

Following reports in the LTTE affiliated websites and media on the alleged issue of a personalised stamp by Canada Post Corporation promoting the LTTE’s separatist agenda which also includes a reference to “genocide”, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canada on 3rd January 2012 sent two letters, one to Denis Lebel, MP, Minister responsible for Canada Post Corporation and the other to Mr. Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada post to register Sri Lanka’s protest and expressing the deep concern of the High Commission on this matter. This issue was also brought to the notice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada.

LLRC report tabled in Parliament

The final report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) was tabled in Parliament by Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva on December 6, 2011.

"In evaluating the Sri Lanka experience in the context of allegations of violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the Commission is satisfied that the military strategy that was adopted to secure the LTTE held areas was one that was carefully conceived, in which the protection of the civilian population was given the highest priority. The Commission also notes in this regard that the movement of the Security Forces in conducting their operations was deliberately slow during the final stages of the conflict, thereby evidencing a carefully worked out strategy of avoiding civilian casualties or minimizing them," the report stated in its Principal Observations and Recommendations.

Parliament approves PSC for a political solution

Parliament of Sri Lanka on November 23rd passed a motion to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to formulate a political solution to the country's ethnic issue.

The parliament announced that a motion to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament to recommend and report on political and constitutional measures to empower the people of Sri Lanka to live as one nation was passed by the House.

The political parties in Parliament are requested to name their representatives to the PSC.

High Commissioner visits Québec city

The High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada H.E. Chitranganee Wagiswara, accompanied by Sumith Dassanayake, Minister Counsellor was on an official visit to Quebec City on 17th November 2011. She had bilateral meetings with Honourable Pierre Duchesne, Lieutenant Governor of Québec, Mr. Jacques Chagnon, President of the National Assembly and Mr. Robert Keating , Assistant Deputy Minister of Bilateral Affairs of the Quebec Department of International Relations.

At the bilateral meetings, the High Commissioner highlighted the long standing historical relations between Sri Lanka and Canada and briefed the authorities on the ongoing Political, Social and Economic developments in Sri Lanka, the progress on reconstruction, rebuilding and reconciliation activities being implemented especially in the North and Eastern provinces and the trade & economic opportunities in the country.

The High commissioner was also hosted to an official luncheon by Mr. Robert Keating, Assistant Deputy Minister of Bilateral Affairs of the Quebec Department of International Relations.

Mr Marcel Gaudreau, Business Development Director of the Quebec International Development Agency briefed the High Commissioner on the business strategies being implemented by the Quebec Government to attract Foreign Investment into the Province.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

December 02, 2011

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Deepavali Celebrated in Canada amidst attempts to disrupt the event

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The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, Canada and the Consul General’s Office in Toronto in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Tamil Community, for the second time, organised a colourful event to celebrate the Deepavali festival 2011 on Sunday 6^th November at the Korean Cultural Centre in Toronto.