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Lanka Embassy in Warsaw steps up public diplomacy activities
The Embassy of Sri Lanka, in Warsaw, continued its public outreach to young Polish students by conducting a Sri Lanka familiarisation session for fifth graders at the Monnet School in Warsaw.
Of interest to the enthusiastic young learners were aspects of Sri Lanka’s environment and wildlife conservation, its cuisine, geography, climate and traditional attire. The Sri Lankan envoy also discussed the exciting and beautifully illustrated children’s travel story titled, ‘Dzie? Dobry Sri Lanko!’ (Good Morning Sri Lanka!) by Katarzyna Szulik, and donated several copies of the book to the school library. Similar country familiarisation programmes will be held in schools and universities, beyond Warsaw, in the New Year.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka, to mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, joined Minister Anna Schmidt of Poland (Minister of Family and Social Policy) and the Women Ambassadors in Warsaw (WAW), to actively support and express solidarity for the ‘Orange the World’ global campaign to end violence against women and girls.
Handmade traditional ‘Lotus Lanterns,’ by the Embassy staff, and the ceramic artwork of Ambassador Dhammika Kumari Semasighe, made a significant mark at the ‘The Art of Diplomacy’ exhibition hosted by the Old Orangery, Royal Lazienki Museum, Warsaw. An aspiring ceramic artist, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador was invited to participate on the aesthetic merit of her body of work. The annual exhibition was for art-gifted members of the diplomatic community from 13 countries, based in Warsaw. The Ambassador’s artwork, titled ‘Random Summer thoughts in clay,’ comprised of clay-pinch pots (handmade), fired with slips and glazes. Each abstract form on display was inspired by natural/organic elements observed during walks in the nature trails of Krakow, Poland, and were crafted at the ceramic studio Moja Siostra Alchemicus in Warsaw.
In order to enhance academic interest in Sri Lanka and to explore the possibility of setting up a Sri Lanka studies programme at the University of Warsaw, the Sri Lanka Mission actively participated in the ‘Meet the Ambassadors’ annual forum organised by the Faculty of Oriental Studies of the Warsaw University. During the event, Ambassador Semasinghe presented the book, ‘Eloquence in Stone: The Lithic Saga of Sri Lanka’, 2008, to Prof. Alojzy Zbigniew Nowak, Rector of the University of Warsaw.
The staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Warsaw and Ambassador Dhammika Kumari Semasinghe were invited to participate in the festivities at the ‘Grand Diwali Ball 2022’ hosted by the Tamil Sangam Association of Poland (TSAP). It was an important opportunity to interact and build bridges of friendship with the Tamil Community in Poland.
Ambassador Semasinghe said the Sri Lanka Mission in Warsaw will continue to combine trade, tourism and cultural promotion through its public outreach activities. The Mission plans to engage with the popular Polish public and private television channels, in 2023, to organise special programmes on Ceylon tea and spices. Discussions have also been successfully concluded with the Director Dr. Joanna Wasilewska of the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw, to establish a permanent exhibition of Sri Lanka’s heritage art.
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 11 Mar 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 02 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area North of Mannar.
The North Central Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the North Central Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Mannar.
The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (02) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Kilinochchi for onward legal proceedings.
The bodies of 84 Iranian sailors killed in a torpedo attack by a US submarine last week in the Indian Ocean are due to be flown home on Friday, Sri Lanka’s defence ministry has said.
The seamen were among 130 thought to be aboard the Iranian warship, the Iris Dena, when it was sunk on 4 March about 40km (25 miles) from Sri Lanka’s southern coastline.
A police escort transferred bodies to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on Friday morning for the repatriation to Iran, after they were stored in two freezers at Galle National Hospital.
Sri Lanka said 32 sailors rescued by its navy after the torpedo attack “will remain in Sri Lanka”, according to news agency AFP.
A magistrate in the Sri Lankan city of Galle ordered that the 84 bodies should be released to the Iranian embassy.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said shortly after the sinking that the Iranian warship had died a “quiet death”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had “perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores”, adding that “the US will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set”.
Video released by the US Department of Defense after the incident showed a ship being struck, causing the stern to rise up before exploding.
The Iris Dena had been returning from a military exercise hosted by India when it was attacked.
Its sinking in international waters came during the current US-Israeli war with Iran and marked a dramatic widening of the conflict.
Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East – targeting Gulf countries allied with the US.
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Safeguarding linguistic heritage is not only a cultural responsibility, but also a shared commitment to preserving the diversity of our world – PM
Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated as the Chief Guest in the special event organized to commemorate International Mother Languages Day 2026 on 13 March 2026 at the New Arts Theatre of the University of Colombo. The event was held under the theme ’Languages Unite: Diverse Voices, Shared Humanity’.
The event was jointly organized by the High Commission of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka with the support of the United Nations, the Sri Lanka Scout Association, and the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association.
Certificates and awards were presented to school winners of the painting, essay, and short video creation competitions organized in conjunction with the celebration of International Mother Language Day 2026.
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“International Mother Language Day stands as a powerful reminder of the profound connection between language, identity, and dignity.
This global observance owes its origins to the visionary initiative of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s advocacy transformed a national commemoration into a global movement one that celebrates the rich mosaic of humanity’s linguistic heritage.
Sri Lanka’s language diversity reflects the richness of our pluralistic heritage. This diversity should not be seen as a challenge to be managed, but as a strength to be valued and cherished.
When we protect language rights, we nurture social harmony. When we promote multilingual education, we empower future generations. And when we listen to one another in our own languages, we affirm each other’s humanity. At a time when divisions can easily take root, respect for linguistic diversity can instead serve as a bridge of empathy and cooperation.
In an increasingly digital age, we must also reflect on the importance of preserving linguistic diversity in cyberspace. Thousands of languages around the world remain vulnerable. Without conscious efforts in education, technology, and policy, many risk fading into silence. Safeguarding linguistic heritage is therefore not only a cultural responsibility, but also a shared commitment to preserving the diversity of our world”.
The Prime Minister remarked that the partnership between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh continues to grow in friendship and cooperation with the shared commitment to multilateralism, cultural understanding, and people-to-people engagement strengthens the bonds between the two nations.
The event was attended by the Bangladesh High Commissioner, Andalib Elias, Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, FAO Country Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives Vimlendra Sharan, Chief Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association Dr. Kushantha Herath, diplomatic crops, members of the Sri Lanka Scout Association, and the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association and students.
[Prime Minister’s media division]
Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in Mannar seas
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Safeguarding linguistic heritage is not only a cultural responsibility, but also a shared commitment to preserving the diversity of our world – PM
This is not an ordinary scholarship programme. It defines the future vision of our country – PM
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