Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra Celebrates 71st Anniversary of Independence

February 7, 2019

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra celebrated the 71^st anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka with an official ceremony held in the morning of 4^th February followed by an evening ceremony jointly organised with Sri Lanka cricket.

The official ceremony commenced with the hoisting of National Flag.  Two minutes silence was observed to respect all who sacrificed their lives for Sri Lanka’s independence, sovereignty and integrity. The blessings of religious leaders from all faiths; Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian were followed by the reading of messages of H.E the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. Read More »

Official Commencement of duties at Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra for the Year 2019

January 4, 2019

H.E. the High Commissioner and the Staff of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra officially commenced work in the New Year on 1^st January 2019 with a special ceremony.

At this event the National Anthem was sung and two minutes silence was observed in remembrance of the National heroes who scarified their lives for the motherland.  After the traditional oil lamp was lit by all employees the oath of the Public Servants was read, and was followed by H.E. the High Commissioner’s address to the Staff.  Read More »

Christmas celebrated in Canberra with tri-lingual carols

December 7, 2018

Christmas came early to Canberra when members of the Australia Sri Lanka Association (ASLA) and the Canberra Tamil Christian Fellowship (CTCF) joined the High Commission staff to sing carols in Sinhala, Tamil and English at the Mission’s Christmas celebration on Thursday 6^th December 2018.  The large audience rose to their feet to join in singing the final carol ‘ Silent Night’   in all three languages.

Music was provided by local Music group Nada Roo with Subramanium Sukumar also joining in on guitar while  ANU student Roshen Fernando accompanied on keyboard. Read More »

CBSL Disputes the Rating Agencies Latest Rating Decisions

December 6, 2018

CONDOLENCE – Dr. Wickrema Weerasooriya Former High Commissioner to Australia from 1986-1989

December 5, 2018

It is with deep sadness that the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra learnt of the passing of former High Commissioner Dr Wickrema Weerasooriya on 4^th December 2018 in Colombo.

Dr Weerasooriya served as High Commissioner in Canberra from 1986 to 1989. He was the author of over twenty Australian and Sri Lankan textbooks, and his Australian text on Banking law is today considered as the definitive text on the subject. Now in its 6th edition it is titled as “Weerasooria’s Banking Law of Australia”. Read More »

Deepavali celebrations in Canberra

November 19, 2018

Sri Lanka High Commission celebrated Deepavali on 15^th November with a special pooja and cultural items provided by the Sri Lankan community in Canberra.

Special pooja was conducted by Pandit Pradeep Bhat of the Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir. This was followed by the singing of devotional songs, a Bharatha natyam performance and a brief talk on the meaning of deepavali and its significance in Tamil and English. Read More »

Third Sri Lanka Festival in Canberra concludes successfully

November 14, 2018

Sri Lanka Festival 2018 attracted large crowds in Canberra on Saturday 10^th November. This was the third consecutive Festival organised by the High Commission to showcase Sri Lanka to the Australian public.

Thaala Asapuwa Dance Academy of Victoria presented colourful and graceful dances depicting the multicultural diversity of Sri Lanka, while dance and music items presented by local Canberra talent added value to the cultural segment.

Sri Lanka Associations in Canberra were an integral part of the Festival and contributed by operating food stalls, Read More »

Foreign Minister Amunugama briefs Colombo based diplomats

November 13, 2018

Foreign Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama briefed foreign diplomats based in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning (12).

The Minister clarified the chain of events that compelled President Maithripala Sirisena to arrive at the decision to dissolve Parliament. He emphasized the constitutionality of the steps taken by President Sirisena and added that having being elected through a nation-wide vote, the President derives his authority directly from the people of  Sri Lanka. The Minister said in the event of a conflict between the organs of government, seeking a mandate from people who are sovereign ensures that democracy prevails. Read More »

The Special statement delivered by President Maithripala Sirisena on November 11, 2018

November 12, 2018

This is the third occasion in 14 days I am addressing you to explain recent developments. First, on October 26 I explained my views to you after appointing Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.

Then, at the meeting held at Ape Gama in Battaramulla on 5^th November, I explained the political views to you. Today is the third occasion and significantly, this is the first time I address you after dissolving the Parliament. First, I must tell you the circumstances leading to the dissolution of the Parliament very briefly. Read More »

Foreign Minister Amunugama says “no justification for the changing Travel Advisories”

November 5, 2018

Foreign Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, said that there was no justification for the Travel Advisories issued by a few countries, since there have been no incidents of violence or disruption in the country following the recent events. The Tourism sector has not been subject to any inconvenience.

The Minister made these observations when he met with the leading inbound tour operators, Senior Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), representatives of the Sri Lankan Airlines and other leading foreign carriers to discuss the Travel Advisories issued recently. Read More »