NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM HIGH COMMISSIONER OF SRI LANKA IN AUSTRALIA
December 31, 2013
Ayubowan, Wannakam, Assalamu Alaikum !
On behalf of the members of the Staff of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra as well as on my own behalf, I am pleased to extend my best wishes to His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, members of the first family, Consuls General of Sri Lanka in Sydney and Melbourne, all Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka in Australia and other accredited countries, Sri Lankan community in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and citizens of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu a peaceful, secure, prosperous , healthy and a Happy New Year.
The New Year begins with abundant hope to fulfil the aspirations of our motherland for progress and prosperity as a nation and a land of peace and unity for our future generation. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the current Chairperson of the CHOGM, our country has a stable and a strong Government to transform Sri Lanka as the emerging ‘Wonder of Asia”. Our country has been progressing based on the “Mahinda Chintana” to uplift the quality of lives of the people through our home-grown development strategy. Nation building process, reconciliation process, infrastructure constructions, road network and development projects in various sectors are developing. Our economy is improving unprecedentedly. Sri Lanka has also focused on the creation of new wealth, through a robust Hub strategy, where the maritime, aviation, knowledge, commercial and energy sectors, together with tourism. Sri Lanka is now recognized as a country with a “Middle Income Emerging Market” status. Significant increase of per capita income and reduction of absolute poverty are key achievements of the post conflict period.
Therefore, I appeal in earnest, to all Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan Australians to join hands and to contribute your invaluable knowledge and thoughts to make Sri Lanka a peaceful and prosperous nation. National unity is key to both unity and development of Sri Lanka. Therefore, your total dedication, devotion, determination and commitment to promote and develop our Mother Lanka are of vital importance to promote our national economy. As Sri Lankans, we could work unitedly for the betterment of our country in the year of 2014 to develop a nation with dignity and strength.
I wish you and your families all the best and offer you my most heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your support that you extended in numerous ways for the Government of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Community and the Sri Lankan High Commission. May the year 2014 bring prosperity, good health and happiness for all Sri Lankans, both at home and here in Australia and other accredited countries. Once again, my family along with the staff of this High Commission join in wishing you all the best in the year to come.
Happy New Year!
Admiral Thisarra Samarasinghe
High Commissioner
31st December 2013
Unique Mural Sculpture (BAS – RELIEF) in the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, Australia
December 19, 2013
A mural sculpture created by Prof. Sarath Chandrajeewa and his team has been completed in the main foyer of the new Chancery building on 17th December 2013. The staff of the Mission too supported in the process of the work.
This creation by famous Sculptor Prof. Sarath Chandrajeewa who is also the Dean of the Faculty of the Arts of the University of Visual and Performing Arts of Sri Lanka is a unique feature in the new Chancery building depicting the “Sri Lanka’s country side”. The conceptual drawing was done by Prof. Albert Dharmasiri. The idea of a mural sculpture for the main foyer is of Mr. Jayantha Madawala, the Architect and the consultant of the new Chancery building.
This mural sculpture (bas-relief) is 19’ x 20’ in size and made out of red earthenware terracotta hand crafted and painted with earth colour slips consisting of 380 fired clay tiles.
The theme of the mural “Sri Lanka’s country side” depicts the general and social life-style of Sri Lanka society, nature, wild life, beauty, livelihood, economy, traditional Kandyan dance folklore, religious, cultural, historical and heritage sites of national identity including multicultural co-existence with prosperity, harmony and happiness.
This piece of unique Sri Lankan art would be the only one of this size and nature. It is of significant value and importance to showcase Sri Lanka’s proud culture and multiculturalism in Sri Lanka in a foreign country. This would also be a valuable rare Sri Lankan piece of art in Australia.
Danushka Kumara Wijesundara wins prestigious Finkel Prize for Advance Medical Research at Australian National University
December 17, 2013
From Left – Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner, Dr. Alan Finkel, the Chancellor of the Monash University, Mr. Danushka Wijesundara, a Sri Lankan PhD scholar, Dr. Chris Parish, the Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Dr. Charani Ranasinghe, the PhD Advisor
Mr. Danushka Wijesundara, a Sri Lankan PhD scholar attached to John Curtin School of Medical Research of the Australian National University, Canberra was awarded the Finkel Prize for his significant medical research work on HIV-1 vaccine development which is expected to be beneficial for conferring protection against HIV-1 in the future.
Dr. Alan Finkel, the Chancellor of the Monash University being the sponsor of the Finkel Prize was there at the ANU University to award the prize to 28 year old Danushka Wijesundara on 13th of December 2013 in the presence of Dr. Chris Parish, the Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Dr. Charani Ranasinghe, the PhD Advisor, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, the High Commissioner, his proud parents, other Sri Lankan dignitaries and academics.
Danushka Wijesundara is also recognized as a medical research writer contributing papers to many international medical research journals which includes forums in USA, Italy and Australia.
In addition, to his successful professional career, Danushka is a first grade Cricketer representing the East Lake Club in Canberra with high performances. His distinguished achievements in his chosen medical profession and in the field of Cricket is contributing immensely to raise the image of Sri Lanka, in Australia.
Danushka is the only child of Mr. Somadasa Wijesundara, Ex-Sri Lanka Foreign Service Officer and former Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra and Mrs Seetha Wijesundara.
The Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Tony Abott calls on Sri Lanka’s President His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa
November 29, 2013
Australian Government Extends the Listing of LTTE as a Terrorist Organisation for Further Three Years
November 28, 2013
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, has on 25thNovember 2013 renewed the listing of a number of persons and entities associated with terrorism for a further three years, effective from 26 November 2013.
The Australian Government recently considered whether to renew the listings of 87 of the 93 persons and entities who or which had been listed as persons and entities associated with terrorism. The listings of those 87 persons and entities were due to expire before the end of 2013, mostly on 25 November 2013.
These listings implement Australia’s obligations under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1373 (2001) to suppress the financing of terrorism. The Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 makes it an offence to use or deal with the assets of, or to make an asset available to, a listed person or entity.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is among the list of entities that have been renewed for further period of three years and accordingly this listing will have effect until 25th November 2016.
Full details of all listed persons and entities can be found in the Consolidated List available at www.dfat.gov.au/icat/UNSC_financial_sanctions.html.
Following the listing, anyone who believes that any of the listed organisations holds an asset that may be owned or controlled by a listed entity must immediately notify the Department Foreign Affairs and Trade at asset.freezing@dfat.gov.au and the Australian Federal Police at AOCC-Client-Liaison@afp.gov.au.
The Government of Australia states that threat of terrorism to Australia is real and enduring and the Australian Government remains determined to combat and prevent terrorism in all its forms.
Speech delivered by Sec Defence at the 2013 GALLE DIALOGUE Emerging Maritime Trends in the Indian Ocean on 25th November 2013 at the Lighthouse Hotel in Galle
November 26, 2013
I am honoured to deliver this keynote address at the opening session of the fourth annual “Galle Dialogue”. On behalf of the Government, I take this opportunity to welcome to Sri Lanka the many distinguished foreign speakers and delegates at this conference. I also extend my best wishes to the many illustrious Sri Lankan participants at this event. The Galle Dialogue is fast becoming an important fixture in the calendar of international maritime conferences, as shown by the fact that speakers and delegates from 35 countries are taking part in this event. As with the recently concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, this is a very positive indication of Sri Lanka’s increasing stature in international affairs since the dawn of peace four years ago. This is something about which all Sri Lankans are justly proud. Read More »
Address by H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Inauguration of the Commonwealth Business Forum 2013
November 26, 2013
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Address by H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Inauguration of the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013
November 26, 2013
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Address by H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Inauguration of the Commonwealth Peoples Forum 2013
November 26, 2013
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