Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy organized an event on 26 May 2023 for launching the special logo to mark 100 years of establishment of Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI), Kandy.

2.     High Commissioner of India H.E. Gopal Baglay virtually launched the logo at the event. Hon’ble M. Velu Kumar, MP was the Special Guest. Various other dignitaries including representatives of several social and cultural organizations, members of the Indian Diaspora and friends of India attended the event.

3.     Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner thanked the Sri Lankan authorities for extending support to AHCI in its various forms for the past 100 years. He noted that 2023 is very significant for bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka as it not only marks 100 years of establishment of AHCI Kandy but also 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. In addition, 2023 also marks 200 years of arrival of Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) to Sri Lanka. He recalled the contributions made by the community in the overall development of Sri Lanka and reiterated India’s commitment to work together for the well-being of people of both countries.

4.     The logo was selected through a logo design competition held by MyGov in which there were 470 participants. The design-winning logo by Mr. Rayees Ahamd Bhat reflects the central theme by blending the vibrant colours of the national flags of India and Sri Lanka and their national symbols.

5.     It may be recalled that the office of “Agent of the Government of India” was established in Kandy in 1923 to look after the welfare of the Indian Origin migrant labourers working in tea plantations of Sri Lanka. After India’s Independence in 1947, late Shri V. V. Giri headed the office as Visa Officer, before becoming the first High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and later, the President of India in 1969. In September 1965, the office was renamed as Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy.

***

Colombo

27 May 2023

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs learns with deep sorrow of the passing away of eminent Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer Deshamanya Jayantha Dhanapala and conveys its profound condolences to his family.

The late Mr. Dhanapala joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1965 and had a distinguished career as a public servant during which he served his country with integrity, dedication and the highest professionalism which has inspired succeeding generations of Foreign Service officers.

In his Foreign Service career, he served in Sri Lanka Missions in Beijing, New Delhi and London and as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and as Ambassador to the United States. He was also Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Secretary General of the Secretariat established to Co-ordinate the Peace Process in Sri Lanka and as Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Dhanapala was also a distinguished international civil servant who held many positions of international distinction. He was Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and later Under Secretary General of the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs from 1998 to 2003. He later served as President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and Vice President of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The late Mr. Dhanapala is renowned globally for chairing the 1995 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review and Extension Conference and for his expertise and dedication to a world free of weapons of mass destruction including disarmament and nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. He wrote several books and articles notably on the topics of international security, nonproliferation, disarmament and multilateral diplomacy.

The late Mr. Dhanapala was deeply admired and respected in Sri Lanka and internationally for his humanity, competence and warm personality. He was a role model and beacon to all through his dedication and commitment to public duty and wider intellectual interests and dedication to the arts.

He leaves behind his devoted wife Maureen who was his pillar of strength both in his professional career and as a friend in life’s journey right to the end. He is deeply missed by his son Sivanka and daughter Kiran.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Service and the Foreign Ministry mourns his loss.

May he rest in peace!

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

27 May 2023

Nalanda University in India is inviting applications from Sri Lankan nationals for following programmes under the BIMSTEC Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2023-24.

•       MA and PhD in Historical Studies

•       MA and PhD in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions

•       MA and PhD in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma)

•       MSc and PhD in Ecology and Environment Studies

•       MBA in Sustainable Development and Management

•       MA and PhD in World Literature in English

2.     The Scholarship Scheme covers admission fee, tuition fee of the course, residential charges and a monthly stipend in addition to a one-time to and from travel fare.

3.     Details regarding the Scheme are available on https://nalandauniv.edu.in/admissions/. Further details may be obtained by emailing [email protected]. The priority deadline for submission of applications on the website (https://nalandauniv.edu.in/admissions/) is 10 June 2023.

***

Colombo

26 May 2023

1. Chairperson of United National Businesses Alliance Tania Abeysundara says the Govt’s decision to contract the economy has adversely impacted the SMEs: asserts that all countries had achieved development by promoting SMEs, and that the Asian Tigers, and even China, had promoted SMEs.
   
2. Several leading importers and traders in Sri Lanka‘s tile and sanitaryware business say their businesses are heading for rock bottom, following the repeated delay in lifting import restrictions for almost 4 years since mid-March 2019: also say these bans have triggered the near closure of most of the 300 entities, affecting over 100,000 direct and indirect employees.
   
3. John Keells Holdings Chairperson Krishan Balendra commends efforts of Govt policy-makers for “successfully navigating the economic stabilisation measures over the last few quarters”: Sri Lanka’s GDP plunged by an unprecedented 7.6% in 2022, and is expected to plummet further to 4.2% in 2023.
   
4. State Trading Corp Chairman Asiri Valisundara says steps have been taken to import 1 mn eggs each day: mentions that currently 20 mn eggs have been imported from India, and 10 mn released to the market.
   
5. Foreign Employment Bureau arrests South Korean for defrauding Rs.25 mn through a foreign employment scam: suspect had allegedly obtained Rs.2.5 mn from people on the promise of employment in South Korea: Magistrate remands suspect until May 29.
   
6. British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton requests Minister of Pulic Security Tiran Alles to cooperate in the efforts taken to prevent Sri Lankans from entering the UK as illegal immigrants: further discusses the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
   
7. Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs (1998-2003) and Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US and to the UN Office in Geneva Jayantha Dhanapala, 85, passes away.
   
8. Stand-up comedian Natasha Edirisooriya, who had allegedly made “disrespectful remarks” on Buddhist philosophy and culture, arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to leave the country: CID to continue inquiry.
   
9. National Child Protection Authority says there have been 3,102 reported child abuse related incidents in the first 4 months of 2023: reveals that on average they receive over 600 complaints per month.
   
10. Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says a proposal to provide interest-free loans for private university education will be submitted to the Cabinet next week: as per the proposal, 5000 loans to be granted annually to students who have failed to gain the opportunity to enter Govt universities despite passing the A/Level examination: loan to be Rs.900,000.

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe returned to Sri Lanka last (27) night after successfully concluding his official tour in Singapore and Japan.

The President and his delegation landed on the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 11.05 pm last night via a Malaysian flight.

Colombo (LNW): The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested stand-up comedian Natasha Edirisooriya who was accused of making derogatory comments over Buddhist philosophy and culture, during the stand-up comedy show ‘Fool’s Pride.’

The comedian was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while she was on her way to leave the country, Police said.

The arrest was made based on several complaints by Dan Priyasad and Balangoda Kassapa Thero.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States and to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Jayantha Dhanapala passed away at the age of 85.

His demise was pronounced while he was receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital, according to the Hospital Director.

The former diplomat passed away after suffering a heart attack.

Eran Wickramaratne MP for SJB today submitted a private members Bill in Parliament to amend the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law, No.1 of 1975 to make the provisions of the act to apply to the President as well. Accordingly, the President, Members of Parliament and other high-ranking Judicial, Public and Public Sector officials have to declare their Assets and Liabilities annually.

The existing Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No.1 of 1975 does

not warrant the President to declare his assets and liabilities.

Provisions will also be made under the proposed amendment to establish an electronic automated asset declaration system, enabling electronic submission of declarations of assets and liabilities.

The significant feature of this act shall be that all declarations of assets and liabilities shall have pubic access subject to redaction of specific information.The appropriate authority shall publish all such declarations on their respective official websites.