Mr. Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel, congratulating Sri Lanka on her achievement in eradicating terrorism, said that Israel stands firmly committed to supporting the development of the country’s economy in the prevailing environment of peace and stability.
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Guatemala established formal Diplomatic Relations on 26th February, 2013. His Excellency Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and His Excellency Mr. Gert Rosenthal the Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations signed the Joint Communique on behalf of their respective Governments.
The Sri Lanka Permanent Mission in Geneva has protested against the screening of the latest Channel 4 documentary film “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka” organized by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and FIFDH at the Palais de Nations in Geneva on 1st March 2013. In a letter addressed to Ambassador Remigiusz Achilles Henczel, President of the Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ravinatha Aryasinha said “Sri Lanka views this film, as well as the timing of its broadcast as part of a cynical, concerted and orchestrated campaign that is strategically driven, and clearly motivated by collateral political considerations”.
Several new initiatives were launched and trade between Sri Lanka and France boosted on the occasion of the visit of a Trade Delegation from Sri Lanka which was facilitated by the European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL), in association with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in France and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka.
Calling Sri Lanka a country ‘’with much potential and richness of culture’’, the Governor of the state of Salzburg Hon. Gabi Burgstaller said ‘’it is a beautiful place on earth that Austrians would like to visit.’’ She made this comment at the 65th National Day which was celebrated at Hotel Radisson in Salzburg, coinciding with the opening of the Consulate of Sri Lanka on 07th February 2013. The Governor also reiterated her commitment to strengthening the relationship between Sri Lanka and Salzburg, stating that ‘both places remain centers of tourist attraction’.
The State of Palestine deeply appreciates the consistent goodwill and support it has received from Sri Lanka throughout its struggle for international recognition, and should always be counted on as a steadfast friend of Sri Lanka, President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine told Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, in Ramallah on Sunday.
On 18th February 2013, the Joint Re-admission Committee(JRC) under the EU – Sri Lanka Readmission Agreement convened its first meeting in Colombo, since the signing of the Agreement in June 2004 and its entry into force on 1st May 2005.
The Agreement between the European Community and Sri Lanka on the re-admission of persons residing without authorization is an indication of the commitment of both parties to effectively combat illegal migration, including human trafficking and related criminal activities and to establish streamlined procedures for the safe and orderly return of persons who do not satisfy the criteria to remain on the territories of Sri Lanka or the EU member countries.
