ARTICLE OF SRI LANKA TEA BOARD ON THE OCCASION OF CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY – 21ST MAY 2022

May 21, 2022

International Tea Day is a United Nations observance celebrated annually on May 21 to express the economical, biological and physical benefits of tea. It was inaugurated by the General Assembly and essentially replaced the unofficial observance of the same name, which used to be celebrated on December 15 in tea producing countries. The observance of International Tea Day is promoted and facilitated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with other relevant organizations and stakeholders. Read More »

Landing requirements to Sri Lanka for Tourists/Foreign Passport Holders/Sri Lankans

April 26, 2022

Notice: Landing Requirments to Sri Lanka for Tourists Foreign Passport Holders Sri Lankans

Colombo Plan Scholars visit Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra

April 20, 2022

An event was held at the Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra on 14^th April, 2022 to welcome Colombo Plan Scholars who will pursue studies in Sri Lanka under New Colombo Plan Programme.

The New Colombo Plan Programme annually provides around 10,000 undergraduates to study and undertake internship in 40 countries across Asia and Pacific regions.

Addressing the gathering, Actg. High Commissioner thanked Colombo Plan Scholars for choosing Sri Lanka for the study programme.  Highlighting the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka-Australia, she said Sri Lanka maintains close relations with Australia since independence and Ceylon and Australia took initiatives to set up Colombo Plan.  In 1951, then Finance Minister of Sri Lanka, J.R. Jayawardena and Australia’s Foreign Minister, Sir Percy Spender took initiative in suggesting regional organization for economic developments.

Joshua Gulli from Deakin University who is going to the University of Peradeniya stated that this would be his first visit to Sri Lanka and he is excited to visit small but diverse island. “Besides its natural resources, the island can show evidence of 25 centuries of continuous civilization and culture” he added.  Harine Somasundaram whose parents are from Jaffna shared her pleasant memories in Sri Lanka and said it was an honour for her to be part of the event at the High Commission especially during Sinhala and Tamil New Year day.

The programme included Power Point Presentation on Sri Lanka, screening of a video on touristic attractions in the country and welcoming the Sinhala & Tamil New Year with tasting new year meal.   The participants enjoyed traditional new year food and sweets prepared by the staff of the High Commission.

The Colombo Plan supports its member countries to enhance social economic development through educational programmes over 70 years.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Canberra

19 April 2022

Message to Sri Lankans living abroad from Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

April 18, 2022

Currently, Sri Lanka is facing social, economic and financial distress creating hardships for its people due to the long-lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, global political imbalances and macroeconomic imbalances in the country. Although the authorities are taking measures to address the above situation of the country, including taking steps to actively manage its debt obligations, finding immediate financial assistance from other nations and progressing at the discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a comprehensive program, the positive impacts of such measures will benefit the people only in the medium to long term. Therefore, urgent measures are needed to enhance the foreign reserve position of the country to meet its day-to-day essential imports including food, fuel and medicine.  Read More »

Measures to be Followed Regarding Human Remains Repatriated from Overseas during the Pandemic of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

March 10, 2022

The latest guidelines No. DQ/06/2020 dated 28/01/2022 issued by the Director General of Health Services on measures to be  followed regarding Human Remains repatriated from Overseas during the Pandemic of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Please click on this link….

Revision of Director General of Health Services Circular permitting burial of COVID Victims at any cemetery or burial ground

March 9, 2022

Please find attached Circular issued by the Director General of Health Services letter EPID/400/2019in-COV dated 02.03.2022 revising the rules pertaining to burial of COVID victims.

Click on this link….

75th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Australia: Call for Stories

March 9, 2022

In line with the 75^th Anniversary of establishment of Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia, the Australian High Commission in Colombo is in the process of collecting successful stories from Sri Lankans living in Australia to feature in the Australian High Commission’s Anniversary Web Site (https://www.75yearsaustraliasrilanka.com/).

The stories would be within 500-700 words in length.  Interested Sri Lankans who wish to share their successful stories, are kindly requested to e-mail the stories to Sri Lanka High Commission (admin@slhcaust.org) on or before 24^th March, 2022 as per the format given with this link.

Exemption of Pre-Departure COVID-19 testing of Fully Vaccinated Travellers

March 1, 2022

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas during the pandemic of COVID-19.  Please click the link below for instruction given by the DGHS letter issued on 25th February 2022.

Exemption of Pre-Departure COVID-19 testing of Fully Vaccinated Travellers….

Australia to assist Sri Lanka in developing a comprehensive national maritime disaster preparedness mechanism

February 21, 2022

The Ocean Affairs, Environment & Climate Change Division of the Foreign Ministry, together with the High Commission of Australia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, held a multi-stakeholder meeting recently, to discuss international best practices, application of Systems Engineering model to work on the vision, mission and needs of Sri Lanka to establish a holistic and state-of-the-art Maritime Safety Authority. Read More »

Independence Day address by H.E Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka

February 4, 2022

Independence Day address by H.E Gotabaya Rajapaksa:

Sinhala,  Tamil, English

Read More »