High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom

Sri Lanka condemns the terrorist attack on Hon. Mohamed Nasheed the Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament and the former President of Maldives, on 06 May 2021.

At this most critical time, the people and the Government of Sri Lanka join in expressing solidarity with the people and the Government of Maldives while strongly condemning all forms of violence.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

07 May, 2021

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

(British High Commission in Colombo and the Government of Sri Lanka)

The UK and Sri Lanka lead on ‘Nitrogen for Climate and Green Recovery’

27 – 29 April 2021, Colombo

The British High Commission in Colombo and the Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka this week held a virtual event “Nitrogen for Climate and Green Recovery”, held on 27 – 29 April 2021, in Colombo.

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Sri Lanka strongly condemns the terror attack on civilians that took place on 30 April 2021 in   Pul-e-Alam city of Logar Province in Afghanistan. Indiscriminate violence against civilians, particularly students and children, demonstrates the cruelty of the perpetrators who intend to bring anarchy. Sri Lanka stands firmly with the Government of Afghanistan in its fight against terrorism to bring durable peace to the country.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

01 May 2021

English Version          Sinhala Version           Tamil Version

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a joint video conference on COVID-19 response involving his counterparts from China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan held today, 27 April 2021. The discussions focused on consolidating COVID-19 response cooperation and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery as well as poverty alleviation amidst the recent spike in COVID-19 infections.

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The Foreign Ministry is pleased to inform that a gazette notification to recruit 40 eligible candidates to join the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) is now published.

The Gazette Notification No. 2,223 dated 9 April 2021 can be accessed at http://www.documents.gov.lk/files/gz/2021/4/2021-04-09(I-IIA)E.pdf.

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The High Commission of Sri Lanka (SLHC) in the United Kingdom and the Association of Professional Sri Lankans (APSL) in the UK are jointly organising a Research Symposium on 1st September 2021 from 9.30 am – 6.30 pm.

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Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,  called  for  early  conclusion of the  Charter of the Association of BIMSTEC Speakers and  Parliamentarians, in his welcome  address at the 17^th Ministerial Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative  for Multi Sectoral Technical  and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC),  comprising of Bangladeshi, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. This event was held virtually   on 1^st April 2021 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister informed that the platform would provide Speakers and Parliamentarians space for greater understanding, trust and friendship and to exchange ideas and information on parliamentary practices and commitment on democratic principles.

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The Sri Lanka High Commission in London in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism is pleased to invite UK based Tour Operators and Media to register for “Hello Again: Sri Lanka, the next holiday destination for the UK Tourists”, a Webinar being held on 31^st March 2021 at 10:30AM UK time.

To register, please visit the following link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsdeCupzoqGtAmURusmJB3GxxE-lcWQXm9.

The appeal made to the UK High Court by Major Gen Priyanka Fernando, the former Minister Counsellor (Defence) of the Sri Lanka High Commission against the judgement of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on him was allowed today, 19 March 2021. In the judgement handed down by the High Court, it decided in favour of Major Gen Fernando and quashed his conviction by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 December 2019 and acquitted him. The defendants, who are pro-LTTE demonstrators who staged protests in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission in London on Sri Lanka’s 70^th Independence Day on  4 February 2018 are ordered to pay costs to Major Gen Fernando.

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Recent media reports have highlighted statements made in regard to a proposal to ban the wearing of the burqa and niqab in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage has said that a decision has not been taken by the Government to impose such a ban and it is merely a proposal, which is under discussion. This proposal has been based on the precautionary measures that are needed on national security grounds, following the investigations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on Easter Sunday attacks.

The Government will initiate a broader dialogue with all parties concerned and sufficient time will be taken for necessary consultations to be held and for consensus to be reached.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

16 March 2021

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that the present Government is committed to the development of the country while protecting the independent, sovereign, free and unitary state. He made these remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Eastern Provincial Regional Consular Office of the Foreign Ministry in Trincomalee.

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There have been recent reports on social media platforms of a “Sri Lanka Flag Non-Slip Doormat” which is being advertised for online purchase on the Amazon website.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage has informed the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing to contact the manufacturer concerned in China and also has brought to the attention of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, the advertising of Sri Lanka’s national flag as a doormat. The Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington D.C has also been instructed to follow up on the matter with the advertising platform Amazon.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

12 March 2021

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in the UK initiated a platform to showcase Sri Lankans who have excelled, thanks to the public goods provided by the successive Governments of Sri Lanka since independence and decades of solid investment in its people. Launching this initiative, the High Commission presented a brief video outlining the milestones of the life of Mr. Abdul Haleem, Counsellor of the High Commission. The video traces his steps and reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to its citizens.

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There have been reports on social media platforms in regard to an invitation extended to the Foreign Minister of Myanmar to attend the 17^th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting hosted virtually on 1^st April 2021, in Colombo.

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Statement by H.E. Mohan Peiris,

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

Friday, 05 March 2021

General Assembly Hall, UNHQ (in-person)

Mr. President,

I thank the Permanent Representatives of Spain and Oman for the fine role that they are playing as co-facilitators of the Seventh Review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I also wish to thank the United Nations Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism for the presentation on the comprehensive Report by the UN Secretary-General on the activities of the UN system in implementing the Strategy.

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The documentary film “TRUTH BEHIND DARE – Unearthing systematically suppressed plight of humanity ended in 2009” produced by the independent and non-profit media initiative Lanka Courier was screened by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London on Zoom platform on 23 February 2021 for the Expatriate Sri Lankans in the UK.

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Madam President,

Madam High Commissioner,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The OHCHR Report which is presented today, emanates from the Resolution 30/1 and 40/1, from which the Government of Sri Lanka announced its withdrawal of co-sponsorship, at the 43^rd Session of this Council last year.

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Madam President,

Madam High Commissioner,

Distinguished Ambassadors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. As I address you today, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has published a report on Sri Lanka accompanied by an unprecedented propaganda campaign on that report.

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The temporary travel restriction introduced by the Government on travels originating from the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka on account of the new Covid -19 Variant in the UK has been lifted with immediate effect.

At a meeting presided by H.E the President, it was decided to relax the restrictions on travels from UK subject to 14 days of quarantine and PCR tests determined by the Health Authorities.

The tourist arrivals from the UK too will resume under the guidelines introduced by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

17 February 2021

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage was interviewed on ‘Pathikada’ telecast on Newsfirst Sri Lanka on 05 February 2021.

The full interview may be viewed at: https://youtu.be/Vlwm0kj6rwU

English Version               Sinhala Version               Tamil Version

The Foreign Ministry will continue facilitating repatriations without any financial burden on Sri Lankans, the Foreign Secretary asserted responding to misinformation in the public domain. Secretary Jayanath Colombage made it clear that the role of the Missions is strictly confined to organizing repatriation flights for returnees who are tested on arrival, offered all logistical support and are quarantined at Government facilities free of charge.

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UNDP Resident Coordinator Robert Jukham presented a copy of the UNDP Human Development Report 2020 to Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on 5 January 2021 at the Foreign Ministry.

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The staff of the Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom commenced work for the year 2021 by offering alms to the London Buddhist Vihara and organising a special programme at the High Commission premises.

The special programme commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag of Sri Lanka at the Chancery building by High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the staff of the High Commission. Thereafter, two minutes’ silence was observed to commemorate war heroes and those who sacrificed their lives on behalf of the Motherland. This was followed by the reading of the Oath of Public Servants by the High Commissioner and staff.

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English Version                        Sinhala Version                                    Tamil Version

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (22) decided to suspend arrival of passengers from the United Kingdom with effect from today due to a new strain of COVID – 19 currently spreading across UK.

The decision was taken at the daily meeting of COVID – 19 Prevention Committee  held at the Presidential Secretariat today (22) following a review of the new strain of the virus and its spread.

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His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has stated that if the ecosystem is protected, the country’s water resources will become a major source of income for the country in the future. The Cardinal stated this when addressing Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who paid a courtesy call at his official residence today (22) to offer greetings to His Eminence for the upcoming Christmas season.

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In the wake of the discovery of a fast spreading new strain of Coronavirus in certain countries, the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to continue with the existing procedure of obtaining prior approval from the Foreign Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority for all inbound travellers to Sri Lanka.

The revised guidelines on repatriation will be issued once the situation has been reappraised.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

22 December 2020

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was invited by the Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu to represent Sri Lanka at the Global Business Summit 2020 on 16 December 2020. The summit was co-hosted by the Governments of Estonia and the United Arab Emirates.

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Defence Adviser of the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, Brigadier Swarna Bothota received the donation on behalf of the Sri Lanka Army from Lt Cdr (Rtd) Kapila De Alwis and Maj (Rtd) S. Sathanandan.

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The London-based think-tank Legatum Institute launched the 14^th Legatum Prosperity Index on 17 November 2020. One of the main highlights of this year’s index was the improvement in Sri Lanka’s education and healthcare sectors over the past decade. According to the Index, these improvements were key to increase in prosperity within Sri Lanka.

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We wish to inform those who make inquiries on applying for visas for Sri Lanka that the temporary suspension of the issuance of visas put in place due to COVID-19 pandemic still continues. Accordingly, the issuance of all categories of Sri Lanka visas for all foreign nationals remains suspended until further notice. (For further details please visit:  

http://www.immigration.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=337&lang=en

Therefore, please note that at present the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the UK does not accept applications for the issuance of any type of Sri Lanka visas for foreign nationals.

11 August 2020

The UK Home Office has published on 29 July, the latest guidance about visa extensions for persons in the UK with leave expiring between 24 January and 31 July 2020.

Accordingly, UK visa holders having a visa or leave that was due to expire between the 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 and unable to leave the UK  prior to the expiry of their visas because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19) will be given an extra month’s grace period within the UK to 31 August 2020.

However, it has been advised that since the  travel restrictions are lifting globally, such persons will no longer be able to extend their visas automatically on this basis and are advised to take all reasonable steps to leave the UK where it is possible to do so or apply to regularise their stay in the UK.

For further details  please visit  the link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents#history.