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Last
updated on June 17 , 2008
“Public Day” – Wednesday
(9.00a.m. to 4.45p.m.)
COLLECTING
INFORMATION FOR HIGH COMMISSION DATABASE
The High
Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa invites all Sri Lankan expatriates and
Sri Lankan Association/Organizations in Canada to furnish their contact
details using the formats (Form A-for individuals; Form B- for
Associations/organization) as indicated below, in order to update its
Database.
Download form
Email: slhcit@rogers.com Fax: 613 238 8448
SRI LANKA
WELCOMES LISTING OF WTM BY CANADA AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
The Government of Sri Lanka
welcomes the announcement of the Canadian Government yesterday (16.06.2008)
to list the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as a terrorist organization, under
the Criminal Code of Canada. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has
conveyed Sri Lanka’s
appreciation in this regard to his Canadian counterpart.
Minister Bogollagama,
commenting on the Canadian decision which became effective on 13th
June, noted with satisfaction the timely action against the World Tamil
Movement underscored the determination of the Canadian authorities to crack
down effectively on front organizations which provide financial, material
and moral support for terrorism. He
observed that this move against the WTM was tangible proof of the
commitment of Canada
to give practical meaning to its proscription of the LTTE in 2006. The Foreign Minister urged Canada to pursue similar action against
other known entities which are engaged in raising funds, ostensibly for
charitable and benevolent purposes, but which are in fact transferred out
of Canada through a
sophisticated and intricate international financial network, to purchase
weapons and warlike material to kill and maim innocent civilians in Sri Lanka.
Minister Bogollagama regretted
that notwithstanding the listing of the LTTE by the European Union (EU),
some member countries had permitted public demonstrations in open support
of the LTTE. He pointed out that
granting permission for such events went against the spirit of the EU’s
stated policy of supporting Sri
Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity. He called upon the
international community to close ranks and take effective measures to
prevent the LTTE and its front organizations which are operating with
impunity on foreign soil, raising funds and engaging in propaganda
glorifying terrorism.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
17th June 2008.
MASSIVE
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST LTTE IN CANADA
Sri Lanka
United National Association Canada (SLUNA), Janatha Vimukti Peramuna
(Committee in Canada), Tamil Democratic Cultural Association Canada, and
the National Patriotic Movement (Canada Branch) have organized, a massive
joint protest in Toronto , Canada on June 21st 2008, at Yong and
Bloor intersection (Heart of Toronto), against the LTTE attacks on
civilians in Sri Lanka.
Through
this protest demonstration the peace loving Sri Lankan Diaspora in Canada will urge the world to help the Sri
Lankan forces to liberate Tamil civilians from the LTTE, support Sri Lankan
forces to defeat Tamil Tiger terrorism in Sri
Lanka, and Ban LTTE fabricated propaganda in Canada.
The most
significant factor of this demonstration is joining hands of the Sinhala and Tamil Sri
Lankan expatriates , regardless of their Ethnicity, in this
struggle against Terrorism.
“A PEOPLE’S MANDATE
FOR DEMOCRACY OVER TERRORISM IN THE EAST OF SRI LANKA”- MINISTER
BOGOLLAGAMA
“The government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa
has fully recognized that our communities have certain grievances which
need to be redressed. It was for this purpose that he set up an All Party
Conference within a month of being elected to office. Through this
mechanism the government has sought to reach a consensus on finding a
political solution to these grievances particularly of the minorities” said
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama while addressing the members of
Carlton Club in London
on 09th June 2008.
Read More..
FOREIGN
MINISTER DEPLORES BUS BOMB ATTACKS
I vehemently
denounce the successive cold-blooded and heinous bomb attacks by the LTTE
today (06.06.2008) on two passenger buses in the outskirts of Colombo and
Polgolla, which have claimed the lives of at least 23 innocent civilians
and injured several others. The LTTE
terrorists have committed four such attacks within the last 10 days, purely
targeted at civilians.
By such dastardly attacks on
civilians, the LTTE is attempting to divert the attention of the security
forces which have in recent times been able to clear the entire Eastern Province of the LTTE that paved the
way for the successful holding of elections and the full restoration of
democracy in the Province. By
killing innocent civilians, the LTTE has once again proved beyond an iota
of doubt, its evil and fascist mindset and its inability to renounce
violence and embrace the democratic path.
Read More..
SRI LANKAN AND BRAZILIAN HEADS OF STATE PLEDGE GREATER MUTUAL
COOPERATION
President
Rajapaksa met President Lula da Silva of Brazil on the margins of the
FAO conference on world food security, to discuss issues of relevance and
importance to both the countries.
President Rajapaksa explained that one the most compelling problems for Sri Lanka
has been the unforeseen rise of the prices of oil and that this, in turn,
has created a sense of unpredictability in the country's economy and the
global economy in general.
In this regard, President Rajapaksa stated that Sri Lanka generates 55% of her
energy needs from hydro sources and rest from thermal power. He also spoke
about issues related to food production and livestock. He elaborated that
80% of the Sri Lankan economy is based on small and medium enterprises
(SMA) and he further explained the manner in which these SMEs conduct their
modest farming and cultivations.
President Rajapaksa also broached the idea to President da Silva to have
greater cooperation and assistance from Brazil in order to develop the
cultivation and farming sector with new kinds of seeds, state of the art
technology and other new methods to enhance the productivity.
Read More ..
SET UP REGIONAL FOOD
SECURITY FUNDS -- PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA SUGGESTS AT FAO CONFAB
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the FAO Conference on
food security in Rome today, gave an
overview of the situation in Sri Lanka with respect to the
challenges of climate change and bioenergy. He also proposed the
setting up of Regional Food Security Funds so that the financial and
technological resources within a given region can be better employed to
expand food production, improve storage and distribution.
Click here to view the full
text of President Rajapaka's speech. It can also be listened via the
following link: Click Here
MINISTER
NIMAL SIRIPALA DE SILVA ELECTS AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF WHO
Minister of Healthcare and
Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva was appointed as the new Chairman of the
World Health Organisation (WHO). Representatives from 123 countries have
voted for Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva making him the first South Asian
to hold this post.
Minister de Silva was first elected as a member of the Executive Committee in
1998 and later elected the Vice Chairman of the same committee. He served
in this position up to 2000. Minister de Silva was elected as the member of
the Executive Committee representing the South East Asian Region in 2005.
He was later appointed Chairman of the International Committee of WHO. The
other members of the committee are former Prime Minister of Norway, Carlen
Routeland, Director General, UNFPA, Hafique Sadiqe, Executive Director of
the UNFPA, Carrol Bellamy and Executive Director of the World Bank.
Minister de Silva was also elected as the Chairman of the B Committee of
the WHO and served as a member of the Audit Committee and Budget Committee
of the WHO. He participated in several WHO conferences to evaluate and
appreciate his services in connection with his work against liquor and
tobacco use. He was also honoured by being appointing as a member to the
Advisory Committee of WHO on health promotion in Kobe, Japan.
27 May 2008
SRI
LANKA TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO THE
EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS OF CHINA
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Rohitha Bogollagama, convened a high-level meeting on 21st May
2008 consisting of senior officials and CEOs of leading garment and tea
corporates, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Tea
Board and the SriLankan Airlines as well as Secretary and Medical
Officers of the Ministry of Health among others, in order to explore and
solicit immediate assistance to the recent earthquake victims in the
Province of Sichuan in China. Foreign Minister added that H.E. the
President has requested the extension of assistance and cooperation to the
victims of the earthquake in China, primarily due to close
and most congenial relations the two countries have maintained over the
past millennia.
Read more..
PRESIDENT CONDEMNS ATTACK ON
CIVILIANS
I hasten to unreservedly condemn the latest act of
cowardice and brutality by the LTTE, in exploding a bomb that has killed
and injured many civilians and police personnel, in Colombo, today.
I wish to first extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families of
those killed, and call upon blessings for a speedy recovery to all those
injured in this act of wanton savagery.
With this bomb attack on a busy street, the LTTE has once again
demonstrated to the world its total commitment to violence and terror to
achieve its separatist goals in Sri Lanka, and its absolute contempt
for democracy and human rights.
Repeated savagery of this order underlines and
reiterates the need for concerted action by all those who cherish
democracy, human rights and the values of civilized society, to eradicate
the menace of terrorism of which the LTTE remains the bloodiest example
today.
While understanding the deep shock and revulsion felt by all at this loss
of life and limb caused by the LTTE, I call upon the people to remain calm
and not be provoked by this further display of its unmitigated terror. Your
continued patience and restraint in the face of such undisguised savagery
is the best way to assist the Security Forces to succeed in their
operations to defeat terrorism in our country.
Policy Research and Information.
Presidential Secretariat.
Colombo.
May 16, 2008.
SUICIDE BOMB
EXPLOSION NEAR SAMBUDDHALOKA
TEMPLE ;
8 KILLED, OVER 90
CASUALTIES –FORT
Eight including six Police personnel were killed
and over 90 casualties reported, following the LTTE suicide bomb attack
near Sambuddhaloka temple, Fort at 12.05 p.m., today (May 16).
According to the available information, a motor
bike riding LTTE suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying Police
personnel at the Ceramic Junction, near Sambuddhaloka temple.
Director General National Hospital Dr. Hector
Weerasinghe exclusively speaking to defence.lk said that, over 90 people
have been already admitted to the National hospital. Many civilians are
among the casualties reported.
LTTE BANNED FOR ANOTHER YEAR IN INDIA
Thu, 2008-05-15
13:31
By Walter Jayawardhana
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be
banned for another one year until May 14, 2009, the Indian government
announced.
Ever since the LTTE had been banned in India in 1992,
the proscription has been extended every year.
India decided to ban the
outfit initially following a LTTE suicide bomber killed former Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
An array of Tamil Nadu politicians, some who are
partners of India’s ruling coalition
has been bringing pressure on the Central government to drop the
proscription of the terrorist group. Among those who brought pressure were
Vaiko, Ramadoss and Nedumaran.
But Tamil Nadu’s Congress Party leader D. Sudharshanam constantly campaigned
for the extension of the ban.
The United States,
United Kingdom, Canada, 27 countries in European Union and Malaysia
are some of the other countries which have banned the terrorist group.
- Asian Tribune -
STATEMENT
ON THE EASTERN PROVINCE ELECTIONS
The first ever Provincial Council
elections for the Eastern Province was successfully held in Batticaloa,
Digamadulla and Trincomalee districts on 10th May 2008 with the
participation of 18 political parties and 22 Independent Groups. The polls
registered a voter turn out of 65%, which is a clear indication of peaceful
environment prevailing in the province. People have exercised their
sovereign rights freely in spite of LTTE terrorist attempts to disrupt
voting in Ampara.
Holding elections in the East is an important milestone in the Government’s
policy of restoring democratic rights of the people in areas once dominated
by the LTTE’s terrorism. This election accentuates the policy of the
Government to create an environment in which all the communities could
enjoy freedom, harmony and economic prosperity.
Full Statement
..
THE
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF CHINA
His Excellency Yang
Jiechi
Minister of Foreign
Affairs of
the People’s
Republic of China
Your Excellency,
I was deeply shocked to learn of the heavy loss of life and widespread
destruction of property in the massive earthquake that struck the Sichuan Province
in China
yesterday.
The Government and the people of Sri Lanka
join me in extending our deepest condolences to the Government and the
people of China
on this natural disaster. Our thoughts, especially go out to the bereaved
families who lost their loved ones and the large number of people displaced
in this tragedy.
While expressing our firm solidarity with the Government and the people of China
in this hour of great trial, I am confident that the survivors in the
affected areas will be able to recover quickly from this ordeal, given the
rescue and relief efforts which have been immediately launched.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Hussein A. Bhaila, MP
Acting Minister of
Foreign Affairs
13 May 2008
FOREIGN
MINISTER ROHITHA BOGOLLAGAMA CALLS ON UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama
met today, Wednesday 7th May, with UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon in continuation of the regular dialogue to apprise the United
Nations of the recent developments in Sri
Lanka, particularly, with regard to the unfolding of
the road map for the restoration of democracy in the Eastern Province.
He also briefed the Secretary General on the Task Force set up to expedite
development of the North.
Read more...
AMENDMENT TO ‘STATE
OF IMMUNITY ACT AND THE CRIMINAL CODE’ IN CANADA
‘NEW LEGISLATION TO COMBAT TERRORISM AND TO
SUPPRESS TERRORIST FUND-RAISING AND EXTORTION BY THE LTTE IN CANADA’
An Act to amend the State
Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (deterring terrorism by providing a
civil right of action against perpetrators and sponsors of Terrorism) was
presented to the Parliament of Canada at the 2nd Session of the
39th Parliament and the bill comes into force when it receives
Royal Assent.
This amendment provides for the
protection of civil rights and measures against any person who by any means,
directly or indirectly, unlawfully and willfully provides or collects funds
with the intention to carry out acts of terrorism or such offences.
Action taken by the Canadian
government, with an intent to combat terrorism is a tremendous support to the
efforts being made by the High Commission to prevent illegal fund-raising
for terrorist activities by the LTTE in Canada.
STATE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY DR. MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, PRESIDENT OF
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
OF IRAN TO SRI LANKA,
28 – 29 APRIL
JOINT STATEMENT
His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, accompanied by a high ranking delegation paid a State
Visit to Sri Lanka
from 28 to 29 April, 2008 at the invitation of His Excellency Mahinda
Rajapaksa, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency Dr.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was officially welcomed by the Sri Lankan President His
Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa at a formal ceremony held at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held wide-ranging discussions
with President Rajapaksa, attended by Ministers and senior officials of
both sides. The discussions which
took place in a cordial atmosphere, were detailed and substantive,
covering issues of bilateral,
regional and global interest. Both
Presidents, while noting with satisfaction the progress achieved in bilateral
relations, stressed their firm commitment to further enhance mutual cooperation
in the political, economic, trade, cultural, educational, scientific and
technological fields. The
discussions reaffirmed the close and friendly ties that exist between Sri Lanka and Iran.
Read More..
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SINHALA & TAMIL NEW YEAR
CELEBRATIONS
PLANNED AND CONDUCTED BY CDTCA ON
THEIR OWN INITIATIVE
COMMENDED
The
organizers should be congratulated for the efforts taken to build
solidarity among all ethnic groups of Sri Lanka, regardless of
race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or social class, by organizing an
event to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year by featuring Kandyan
dancing and Bharatha Natyam, to fost | | 
