Deputy Ministers  Neomal Perera and Gitanjana Gunawardena represent  the  President  at the swearing in ceremony of  the Kenyan President

Hon. Neomal Perera, Deputy  Minister of External Affairs and Hon. Gitanjana Gunawardena, Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation represented H.E. the President of Sri Lanka at the  swearing in ceremony of Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyas'  President-elect. Kenyatta is the son of founding father and the 1^st President of the nation. Vice President William Ruto also took oaths on this occasion.

Kenyatta was sworn in on Tuesday  9^th April  2013, after the Supreme Court dismissed a  legal challenge to March 4^th elections.

When the two Deputy Ministers met the  President of Kenya today(11^th April 2013) at the State House, he extended an open invitation to H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to visit Kenya, on a mutually convenient date.

The two Deputy Ministers also met Vice President William Ruto, on this occasion.

Late Excellency Jomo Kenyatta, the 1st President of  Kenya and late Hon. Philip Gunawardena were  known to have been closely engaged together in struggles for the independence of their nations in the late nineteen twenties are illustrious parents of His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon. Gitanjana Gunwardena.

Invitation for Poles to discover the Polish footsteps

in Sri Lanka

At a promotional event organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Poland with the collaboration of the Qatar Airways, Ambassador Pamela J. Deen invited Poles to visit Sri Lanka not only to appreciate its beauty and heritage but also to discover the Polish connection dating back to the 19^th century.  She said that many Poles not aware that Archbishop Wladyslaw Michal Zaleski, botanist, author of several books, and also known as the most outstanding Polish traveler in the 19^th century, had been in Sri Lanka. In 1893, he established a seminary in Ampitiya, closer to Kandy. Even today, Catholic priests are being educated in the seminary. She said that it was high time for the Poles to follow the footsteps of Archbishop Zaleski, and discover Sri Lanka. 

Addressing the gathering Ambassador stated that though Sri Lanka was not well known among the Polish people, they appreciate very much the tea coming from Sri Lanka known as "Ceylon Tea". Explaining that travelers to the island from Arab traders to the British called the island with various names, in Sri Lankan chronicles it was known as "Lanka".  In addition to the natural beauty, cultural heritage, festivals, adventures, she stated that seaside around the island frequented by blue whales and dolphins. Further to these attractions, meditation, indigenous herbal treatment called Ayurveda and the Sri Lankan cuisine would make a visitor to the Island enchanted.

Adding that Sri Lanka has been named as a prime destination for the year 2012/13 in the travel guide Lonely Planet, she mentioned that the prestigious magazine, National Geographic features Sri Lanka in its April issue this year.  Further she stated that in the World Economic Forum 2013 report on Travel & tourism Competitiveness, Sri Lanka was placed well ahead of many European countries in number of categories. While Sri Lanka has been placed 50 out of 140 countries in customer orientation, it has scored 25 in attitude of population towards a foreign visitor.  Further, Sri Lanka has been recommended 7out of 140 countries for extension of business trips.

Ambassador Deen stated that since May 2009 Sri Lanka has witnessed 46% growth in tourist arrivals. Many airlines have commenced operations to Sri Lanka facilitating visitors from world over, to enjoy dividends of peace and stability in the country. 

Sri Lanka Business Delegation in Poland

A  Business  Delegation  from  Sri  Lanka  visited  Poland  on  26^th  and  27^th  March  2013.

On the occasion the Polish Chamber of Commerce organized a seminar on 27^th March at its premises. The Embassy in collaboration with Polish Chamber of Commerce organized business meetings for the visiting delegation with their Polish counterparts.

Speaking at the seminar Ambassador Pamela J. Deen stated that Sri Lanka has achieved good economic progress and ranked high among developing countries. Citing the Global Competitiveness Report of 2012/13 she mentioned that Sri Lanka was placed well ahead of many European countries in categories viz control of international distribution, production process sophistication, extent of marketing companies and recommendation for extended business trips.

Since economies of Sri Lanka and Poland are doing well irrespective of global economic downturn and euro zone crisis, she urged business community of both countries to explore the potential for the mutual benefit.

Statement by the Ministry of External Affairs

Contact and interaction between Sri Lanka and India has continued since time immemorial.  Civilisational ties and cultural links between all parts of India and Sri Lanka have been substantial.  Since Independence, both nations have followed an unbroken tradition of democracy.  The Governments of India and Sri Lanka have worked closely to combat terrorism and extremism, safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and the right of all Sri Lankans to live in peace with dignity and justice.

For nearly 30 years, Sri Lanka suffered as a result of the violent campaign conducted by the LTTE whose objective was to create a mono-ethnic, mono-linguistic separate State in Sri Lanka.  Since the comprehensive defeat of the LTTE, Sri Lankans of all communities enjoy peace and tranquillity throughout the Island.  Following the conclusion of the conflict, the Government appointed the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with a view to providing equity and justice for all Sri Lankans, in particular for those living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Its comprehensive set of recommendations is now being implemented, step by step, in a structured and methodical manner.

In this context, it is regrettable that sections of Tamil communities living abroad have resorted to sustained protests and calls for unfriendly measures against Sri Lanka, ostensibly to obtain political rights for Tamils in Sri Lanka.  These groups and parties have recommended solutions and demands that have no relevance to the ground realities in Sri Lanka but can militate against the efforts taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to provide justice and to arrive at arrangements for reconciliation.

Strident demands to stop calling Sri Lanka a friendly country by some are disturbing and do not relate at all to the continuing friendship and cooperation between India and Sri Lanka that has stood the test of time and finds expression today in a multifaceted relationship encompassing all regions of India and all aspects of modern life including substantive economic interaction.

Descriptions of the military conflict with the LTTE and its concluding phase in an emotive and unrealistic manner and demands for international intervention in Sri Lanka are devoid of merit and smack of prejudice.  Allegations levelled against the Sri Lankan State, its leaders and Security Forces are based on hearsay, misinformation, misperceptions and ethno-nationalistic ideologies.  They have not taken into account that Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country with communities well spread out in all parts of the country, at present living peacefully throughout the Island and that efforts are being made to enable all communities and citizens to exercise political power in their own geographical regions and at the centre as well.  There is no room for demands for ethno-nationalism in Sri Lanka and the aim of every citizen is to live in harmony throughout the country.  Efforts by interested parties to create communal discord will not succeed, despite their potential to vitiate the atmosphere that is currently required to conclude efforts at reconciliation.

The Government of Sri Lanka is willing to conduct inquiries into any allegations, if duly presented to authorities in Sri Lanka, through the judiciary and military tribunals, in line with practice followed by all other democratic nations.  The persistent allegations against the Sri Lanka Navy with regard to alleged killing and harassment of Indian fishermen are erroneous and without  any factual basis.  The Sri Lanka Navy is under strict orders to treat all Tamil Nadu fishermen, who cross regularly into Sri Lanka waters, in a humane manner.  At the same time Sri Lanka has continually and emphatically impressed upon Indian authorities the compelling need to take appropriate action regarding the very large number of fishing boats daily entering Sri Lanka?s territorial waters and exploiting fisheries resources, causing grave damage to the livelihoods of fishing communities in the North of Sri Lanka.

The Government of Sri Lanka is keen to move forward with its efforts at equity and justice, notwithstanding the innumerable crimes and acts of terrorism committed by the LTTE, mostly against Tamil Sri Lankans.  Sri Lanka needs time and space to move forward on the course already charted in order to provide justice and dignity for all Sri Lankans.

The Government would like to invite all those who make unfounded and exaggerated allegations as well as unrealistic demands as solutions to Sri Lanka?s future to visit Sri Lanka and ascertain the progress on the ground in terms of rebuilding the country and resettling displaced persons and reintegrating misguided youth as well as the efforts at providing support for the disadvantaged, particularly those who were affected by the conflict.