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Rejuvenation of SL-US dialogue initiated by Lankan expatriates; Amb counters US resolution

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4 years ago

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Sri Lankan expatriates in the United States in a Zoom meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Susie Lee (bottom center), attended by Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe (top left) on 14 December. Other participants Sanje Sedera, SL Consul-General Dr. Chandradasa, Kasini Wijegooneratne, Aruna Abeyakoon, Daya Gamage, Col. Lucky Rajasinghe and Congresswoman’s Chief of Staff Schroder.

With the active participation of the new Sri Lanka ambassador to Washington Mahinda Samasasinghe and the United States Congresswoman Susie Lee, a group of Sri Lankan expatriates in the U.S. activated a zoom meeting on December 14 which proved effective toward the rejuvenation of relations between the two nations.

The Sri Lankan expatriates who were conscious of the importance of the two nations establishing a greater understanding of issues initiated this dialogue bringing socio-economic diplomacy as the basis of the discourse among the US-based Sri Lankan diplomatic leader, American lawmakers and expatriate activists whose professionalism in recent times saw the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce on the American soil in this hour-long zoom meeting.

Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe cogently explained the misinformation that has gone into the text of the Sri Lankan Resolution now before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to urge US Congresswoman Susie Lee to be cautious if it comes her way for her endorsement. He reminded that despite the progress much had to be achieved, since the end of the separatist war in 2009 Sri Lanka has undertaken progressive steps toward reconciliation and to consolidate harmony among all ethnic communities. He thanked the United States for its assistance in providing 2.7 million vaccines and 17 million dollars to ease the situation created following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. He reminded that the U.S. had always come forward to assist Sri Lanka at times of need such as in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami disaster.

Ambassador Samarasinghe noted that his task was to bring the two nations closer, and toward that he had already met with State Department officials and lawmakers in the US Congress.

Congresswoman Susie Lee was invited to join the US Congress Sri Lanka-America Caucus to which she sounded favorable. Ambassador Samarasinghe said he would have a further dialogue with Ms. Susie Lee regarding the matter.

In response, U.S. Congresswoman Susie Lee, a friend of many expatriates who attended the zoom meeting, declared the importance of strengthening the bonds between the two nations and said she was prepared to work with the Congress to assist Sri Lanka in whatever manner. She patiently listened to the contributions of the expatriates the importance of the two nations working together.

The zoom meeting was initiated by the president of the newly inaugurated Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce Sanje Sedera who was joined by the Chamber’s president-elect for the Years 2023-2025 Aruna Abeyakoon. Establishing close discourses between the Sri Lankan expatriates and American lawmakers become possible due to the close rapport Mr. Sadera had developed with Members of the Senate and the House over two decades.

The principal administrative official of the California-based Sri Lanka Foundation Kashini Wijegooneratne apprised how the expatriates coordinated with medical personnel in Sri Lanka with the assistance of the American side to provide emergency medical equipment to needy districts in Sri Lanka.

One of the issues that emerged at the December 14 Zoom Meeting was the importance of Sri Lanka and the United States working together to settle the misunderstanding of issues such as human rights and national ethnicity. It was brought to the attention of the zoom meeting that there were longstanding misinterpretations of national issues that need to be corrected to have a stronger bond between the two nations. In fact, Ambassador Samarasinghe at the outset said that the Resolution on Sri Lanka before the House Foreign Affairs Committee was not a balanced one.

Since the arrival of Sri Lanka’s new diplomatic envoy Mahinda Samarassinghe to Washington two weeks ago the Sri Lankan expatriates have been exploring avenues to have a better diplomatic rapport between the two nations. The expatriates who established the Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce on December 9 with the blessings of many American lawmakers – both Senate and House – were targeting the enhancement of trade, commerce and investment cooperation between the two nations. It is with these twin objectives – economic and diplomatic cooperation – that the Sri Lankan expatriates held the Zoom Meeting, one of a series of discourses among expatriates, Sri Lankan diplomats and American lawmakers and policymakers.


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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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3 hours ago

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2026/05/5

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

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 the 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.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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8 hours ago

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2026/05/4

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

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8 hours ago

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2026/05/4

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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