Address by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Presidential Secretariat at the virtual ‘High – Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID – 19 and beyond’ organized by the Prime Ministers of Canada, Jamaica and the UN Secretary General on May 28th, 2020.
Considering the many Sri Lankans residing and working in Seychelles who have registered their interest in returning to Sri Lanka, the Government is making arrangements to facilitate their return to Sri Lanka in compliance with the existing regulations and availability of quarantine facilities in the country.
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Seychelles has been continuously liaising with the Sri Lankan community members and has taken the initiative to appoint a Joint Committee under the leadership of the Mission which includes the Sri Lankan Association, Seychelles Buddhist Association, and the Lakstar Cricket Club, to render support to Sri Lankans who are in need of assistance. The Mission has also distributed food supplies to the community upon their request and has established a 24-hour hotline through which Sri Lankans can constantly reach the Mission.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
No. 820, 2nd Avenue,
2nd Floor,
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Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations in an interview held on Siyatha TV ‘Morning Show’ at 6.55 am today (25 May 2020) discussed the systematic repatriation process of Overseas Sri Lankans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The seventy-sixth session (CS 76) of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was successfully conducted on a virtual platform for the first time in its history, due to the COVID 19 situation, on 21 May 2020, in Bangkok. The CS 76 deliberated on ‘Promoting economic, social and environmental cooperation on oceans for sustainable development’, reiterating commitments to realize SDG 14 on ‘life below water’, as its key theme for the Session. Delegations also engaged on a discussion on ‘Regional cooperation to address the socio-economic effects of the global health crisis’, where Sri Lanka joined in cosponsoring the resolution presented by the Secretariat, emphasizing the need for collaborative action in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic to the world and particularly to the developing countries in the most populous Asia and the Pacific Region.
The annual Memorial Day event organized by ACOBA-EC will take place on Monday May 25th at 5:30 PM.
Please join us on Zoom to commemorate the sacrifices made by US and Sri Lankan veterans of all past wars.
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88050929517
Meeting ID: 880 5092 9517
( Sinhala ) (Tamil) ( English )
Full text of the speech made by His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the National Ranaviru Day commemorations on May 19th 2020.
Reverend Maha Sanga representing Maha Nayaka Theros and Anu Nayaka Theros of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, Amarapura and Ramannya Nikayas,
His Eminence Cardinal,
Hindu Kurukkal leader, Islam Mowlawi,
· Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
· Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, former President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
· Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda,
· Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunatilleke, Governor of the Western Province
· Secretary to the President,
· Secretary Defence,
· Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force,
· Acting Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of Civil Defence,
· Distinguished guests,
· War heroes of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence,
· Dear parents, wives, sons and daughters of war heroes,
May 19th is a very important milestone in the history of Sri Lanka.
11 years ago on a day like this, on May 19th 2009, we completely defeated the separatist terrorism which had been a curse to the country for nearly 30 years.
It was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who gave the leadership for this battle in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief.
With the end of terrorism, an environment where people could live without fear or anxiety and enjoy their human rights freely was created.
After a period of 30 years, we ensured democracy and build an atmosphere where free and fair elections could be held.
The atmosphere where people can travel freely without any restrictions to any place of the country was restored.
