News

Lankan delegation headed by Foreign Sec. attends Commonwealth Senior Officials Meeting on next CHOGM

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/10

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane with Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland KC and Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Rohitha Bogollagama

A Sri Lankan delegation, headed by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, participated in the Commonwealth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and the Committee of the Whole (COW) held in London from 03-06 September 2024, the Foreign Ministry said.

It said that the discussions at the meetings focused on the arrangements for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in October in Samoa and its outcome documents.

On the sidelines of the Commonwealth meetings, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane met the Permanent Under Secretary Sir Philip Barton of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, on 03 September 2024. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane and Permanent Under Secretary Barton discussed the ongoing implementation of the outcomes of the second meeting of the Sri Lanka – UK Strategic Dialogue, convened in May 2024 in Colombo.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane apprised the Permanent Under Secretary of Sri Lanka’s progress in stabilizing the economy and the work to achieve sustainable development for all segments of the people. The Foreign Secretary also welcomed the recent high-level visits from the UK, as well as the ongoing discussions related to the implementation of the Developing Country Trading Scheme (DCTS) in Sri Lanka which is an impetus to bilateral trade. Both sides welcomed the recent signature between the two countries of the MoU on the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP). The vibrant people-to-people ties emanating from the significant community of Sri Lankan heritage in the UK also featured in the discussions.

On 05 September 2024, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane met with Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Both sides reviewed the ongoing collaborations between Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth Secretariat in diverse areas such as education, combating climate change, mangrove conservation and assistance in strengthening financial oversight. Secretary General Scotland apprised the Foreign Secretary of the deployment of the Commonwealth Election Observer Group, led by Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles, to observe the forthcoming Presidential Election. The Secretary-General also highlighted that for the first time, the upcoming Commonwealth Summit will be held in a Pacific Island Member State of the Commonwealth – Samoa – and would draw attention to climate change and related challenges.

Foreign Secretary Wijewardane also met with David Lammy, Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs at the Lancaster House on 04 September along with Heads of SOM delegations, and with Catherine West Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo–Pacific for the FCDO at a working dinner on 05 September.

On an invitation extended by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane addressed a gathering at the London Buddhist Vihara on 06 September where she highlighted the important religious contacts between the UK and Sri Lanka carried out through the work of the Vihara and the Maha Bodhi Society of the UK.

The Foreign Secretary was accompanied to the meetings by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK Rohitha Bogollagama and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission of Sri Lanka to the UK.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)