Month: January 2020

Senior Advisor on Economic Affairs to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal who was on  a visit to the United Kingdom called on the Minister of State for International Trade The Rt Hon Conor Burns MP on 28 January 2020.  During the meeting, Minister Burns assured that the EU GSP+ concession regime will continue to be applicable for Sri Lanka’s exports to the UK following Brexit on 31 January 2020 until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. Minister Burns further informed that the UK intends to introduce an independent trade preference scheme after 31 December 2020. The discussion also focussed on economic cooperation, ease of doing business and the strengthening of investment opportunities for British companies and joint ventures in Sri Lanka.

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The outgoing High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Manisha Gunasekera paid a farewell call on the Chief Incumbent of the London Buddhist Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayake of Great Britain The Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thero at the London Buddhist Vihara on Tuesday 7 January 2020.

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The outgoing High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Manisha Gunasekera paid a farewell call on the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC on Tuesday 21 January 2020 at Marlborough House.

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Click here to Read the press Release on ‘Death Certificates for Missing after Investigations’ 

 

The outgoing High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Manisha Gunasekera paid a farewell call on the Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State for the Commonwealth, the United Nations and South Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Wednesday 15 January 2020.

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” I have spoken on several occasions, and led a debate in your Lordships’ House, on the importance of the Commonwealth. I shall speak particularly on one Commonwealth country: Sri Lanka. Britain has vibrant Sri Lankan communities which have made enormous contributions to this country. Sri Lanka’s location at the heart of the Indian Ocean means it is uniquely positioned to serve as a regional centre for trade and services. The World Bank has recently classified Sri Lanka as an upper middle-income country. FTAs are in place with India, Pakistan and Singapore. Comprehensive trade agreements are also being negotiated with China, Thailand and Bangladesh. It is worth noting that businesses based in Sri Lanka can market their products and services to 3.5 billion people on preferential terms. Through the Port City Colombo project, Sri Lanka is creating a new international financial centre that will function under its own jurisdiction. Will the Government be providing expertise or facilitating the adoption of an English legal framework for this region? I would like to see us investing more in Sri Lanka and expanding our trade with that country.”

 

Video link: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/e7c99809-9b46-4c43-8698-2b32d61519a4?in=20%3A01%3A18&out=20%3A02%3A59&fbclid=IwAR0ScO_Ko6EBx6loryjksIGsqrCppuIQwJ-RwMR8HbFCtJlv0wVdwWy4IEU

 

“My Lords, for 23 years, I was a Member of Parliament for the marginal seat of Northampton South. What a joy it is to see the majority in that marginal seat move from 1,000 to 4,400—it quadrupled. The reason for that was not just what was done on the ground but a reflection of the British people’s faith in the determination and leadership of our Prime Minister. I pay particular tribute to him for what he has done for our country.

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Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the growing tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of a senior Iranian leader.

Sri Lanka urges all parties to act with utmost restraint and maintain peace and security through constructive dialogue in order to de-escalate the threat to the stability of the region.

 

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

06 January 2020

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the UK Manisha Gunasekera met with the former MP and former Minister of State for the Middle East and former Minister of State for South Asia at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office; former Minister of State at the Department of International Development; and long-standing friend of Sri Lanka, The Rt Hon Alistair Burt on Thursday 21^st November 2019.  The discussion involved the ways and means of promoting Sri Lanka – UK relations.