அமைச்சின் ஊடக வெளியீடுகள் – Page 295 – வெளிநாட்டு அலுவல்கள், வெளிநாட்டு வேலைவாய்ப்பு மற்றும் சுற்றுலாத்துறை அமைச்சு

Mrs Chitranganee Wagiswara appointed as the new Foreign Secretary

Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the President Maithripala Sirisena. She received her letter of appointment from President Sirisena today (19^th January 2015) at the Presidential Secretariat. Thereafter, Mrs Wagiswara assumed duties at the Ministry Office at a simple ceremony.

Mrs Wagiswara is the senior-most officer serving in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, having joined in 1981. She served as Third Secretary in Rome, Italy (1984– 1988), Ottawa, Canada (1991-1994) as First Secretary, and as the Deputy High Commissioner in London, United Kingdom (1996 – 1999).

Foreign Minister Samaraweera calls on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi

FM-Modi-Jan2015

Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India welcomes Hon Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka on 19th January 2015 at the Official residence of the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

Bilateral talks between India and Sri Lanka

Bilateral talks between India and Sri Lanka led by the respective Foreign Ministers on 18th January in New Delhi ...

Foreign Minister Samaraweera meets Indian counterpart

Hon. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of India, warmly welcomes Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka on 18th January 2015 at Nehru Bhawan in New Delhi ...

Sri Lanka processes the release of Indian fishermen

As a gesture of goodwill and with the advent of the Thai Pongal festival, the new Government of President Maithripala Sirisena is processing the release on humanitarian grounds the remaining fifteen(15) Indian fishermen from Puducherry who are detained in Sri Lanka for poaching. There are also eighty seven(87) boats of Indian fishermen which have been detained in instances over a period of time, and are presently in Sri Lankan judicial custody. Their release would be favourably considered upon claims being registered by the respective owners in the relevant Courts, in keeping with the legally stipulated practice.

Media Statement

On the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, His Holiness Pope Francis will pay a State Visit to Sri Lanka from 13^th to 15^th January 2015. The Government and people of Sri Lanka are looking forward to warmly welcoming His Holiness and his delegation.

All arrangements for the visit are in place and the required constructions are progressing on schedule including the altar at Galle Face Green where the Special Mass and the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, which will take place on Wednesday 14^thJanuary.

The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith reiterating the confirmation of the Papal visit as scheduled, has also outlined the extensive arrangements underway which will also include a liturgical ceremony at the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu and an inter-faith meeting with leaders of all major religions in Sri Lanka at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. His Holiness will also pray at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lanka in Bolawalana, Negombo.

Media Statement

The Government of Sri Lanka notes with concern the recent remarks by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the United Nations recalling the Secretary-General’s call to the Government to ensure that the forthcoming Presidential elections are peaceful and inclusive. The Spokesperson’s comments are gratuitous and inappropriate.

Sri Lanka has a vibrant tradition of democratic practice since 1931 and has been conducting elections at regular intervals, in a peaceful and orderly manner, while the electorate has continued to cast their vote freely, in large numbers.