Category: News
News
State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya reiterates need to strengthen relations with Asian neighbours
State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry today (19 August). The State Minister was received by Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage and other senior officials, upon his arrival at the Ministry. Religious observances were conducted to invoke blessings prior to the assumption of duties.
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena assumes duties
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena assumed duties at the Foreign Ministry on Monday 17 August 2020.
Minister Gunawardena was received by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and other senior officials upon his arrival at the Ministry. Following multi-religious observances, the Minister officially assumed duties.
New Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage assumes duties
Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage (PhD) assumed duties as the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry today (14 August) following the appointment to the position by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The new Foreign Secretary Admiral Colombage was warmly received by the senior officials of the Foreign Ministry this morning, upon arrival at the Ministry.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC -Suspension of issuance of visas for Sri Lanka
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
‘Seventh SriLankan Airlines repatriation flight UL 504 to Bandaranaike International Airport carrying 106 passengers left Heathrow International Airport, London on 11 August 2020’
New Cabinet Ministers sworn in before the President.
Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as Prime Minister
The leader of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The swearing in ceremony took place at the historic Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya this morning (9).
Elected to the post for the fourth time, Mr. Rajapaksa served two terms as the Executive President of the country from 2005 to 2015.
Commonwealth Blue Charter Webinar: Unlocking the Wealth of Mangrove Ecosystems
As the lead country of the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Group on Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods, Sri Lanka together with the Commonwealth Secretariat organized “Commonwealth Blue Charter Webinar: Unlocking the Wealth of Mangrove Ecosystems” recently to mark the International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem.
Notice to Sri Lankan nationals on short term Visas to the UK
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.