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.
Mobile Consular Services
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in the UK receives requests for organizing mobile Consular Services outside London for the convenience of those who live away from London.
In order to assess the number of Sri Lankans who would benefit from such mobile Consular Services outside London, we kindly request such Sri Lankans who require Consular services to complete the online form on our website at the link https://srilankahc.uk/2020/08/03/survey-for-mobile-consular-services/
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.
Foreign Minister Gunawardena and UK’s International Trade Minister discuss stepping up bilateral trade and investment ties with the UK
Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Minister for International Trade of the UK Ranil Jayawardena discussed stepping up bilateral trade and investment and expanding the areas of cooperation during a teleconference yesterday. It was the first official interaction between the two Ministers.
Effective framework for the implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Statement by the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 44th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 7: ID with SR on Occupied Palestinian Territory
16th July 2020
Madam President,
Sri Lanka takes note of the report presented by Mr. Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.
Sri Lanka associates itself with the statement delivered by Azerbaijan on behalf of the NAM.
