Category: News

 “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities” 

Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, 15-16 July 2021

Your Excellency Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzebkistan,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to participate in this high-level forum dedicated to discussing the very relevant topic of connectivity between two important and dynamic regions in the world today: Central and South Asia.  I would like to commend His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for organising this timely forum bringing together the views of diverse countries on one platform in spite of the challenges posed globally by the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is also an opportune moment to discuss connectivity, when Uzbekistan and the other Central Asian countries mark their third decade as independent nations this year.

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Joint Media Release

(The Foreign Ministry and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka launches the Submarine Cable Protection and Resilience Framework

On 15 July 2021, at a stakeholder meeting chaired by Secretary to the President Dr. P. B. Jayasundara launched the Submarine Cable Protection and Resilience Framework.

Sri Lanka is the first country in Asia to come up with such a Framework and it would have not been possible, if not for generous support of the Government of Japan through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – Global Maritime Crimes Programme (GMCP).

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The Government of Sri Lanka has apprised the European Union (EU) of progress in specific areas of reconciliation, as part of its regular engagement and dialogue with the organization.  Accordingly, the Foreign Ministry on 25 June, informed the EU of action underway to revisit provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, No 48 of 1979, with the study of existing legislation, past practice, and international best practices.

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High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena and the members of the staff at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London participated at the Poson celebrations organised by the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre in Kingsbury under the aegis of the Chief Incumbent Aggamahapandita Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi, MBE on 24 June 2021.

The highlight of the celebrations was the display of a colourful pandal depicting the life story of Bhikkhuni Patachara which was inaugurated by High Commissioner Sirisena. The pandal which is 65 feet tall is the largest Poson pandal ever displayed in Europe. It was displayed at the forecourt of the temple premises for a period of one week.

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Sri Lanka’s Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980 and the National Policy and Action Plan on Prevention of Suicide of 1997 are among the five inspiring and impactful laws and policies that won the Future Policy Award 2021.

The Award, often referred to as the ‘Oscar on Best Polices’ is celebrating the most effective policy solutions that minimise the adverse effects of exposure to chemicals on human health and the environment. The above two policies from Sri Lanka have contributed to one of the greatest decreases in suicide rates ever achieved in the world. They have saved about 93,000 lives over 20 years at a direct government cost of less than USD 50 per life.

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Addressing the Asia-Pacific High Level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation virtually on 23 June, 2021, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunwardena stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation among states and other partners in addressing the COVID-19 challenges, including by recognizing the vaccines as global public health good. He also highlighted Sri Lanka’s policy focus and thrust on sustainable development with renewable energy as a national priority.

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High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena together with senior diplomatic officers met the members of the Executive Committee of the Sri Lankan Medical & Dental Association in the UK (SLMDA-UK) at the High Commission of Sri Lanka on 19 June 2021.

At the meeting, the members of the Executive Committee informed of the origins of the Association in 1982 and that it is a voluntary Association for Sri Lankan and Sri Lankan origin Medical & Dental professionals in the UK.  They also briefed the High Commissioner of the activities and charitable work undertaken by the Association in the recent past.

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Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the UK Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad have agreed to explore avenues to boost bilateral ties, during a video call yesterday, Thursday, 17 June 2021. They welcomed the multifaceted nature of the bilateral engagement between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom in a wide range of areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

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The Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry organized a ceremony to handover letters of compensation of the deceased Sri Lankan workers abroad to their respective family members at the Ministry Premises in line with the International Domestic Workers Day as well as the International Day of Family Remittances held on 16 June, 2021.

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The Foreign Ministry regrets the adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka in the European Parliament on 10 June 2021.  The resolution entitled “The Situation in Sri Lanka, in particular the arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act”, contains factual inaccuracies, and does not take cognizance of the multifaceted progress made by Sri Lanka in reconciliation and development.

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