JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Statement by Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, M.P. , Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka at the 148th Assembly of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) from 23-27 March 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, To begin with, I feel so honoured and privileged to be in this wonderful capital and largest city of Switzerland on behalf of my delegation. It is a great pleasure for me to address the 148th IPU Assembly...

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Sri Lanka expresses grave concern over the death of aid seekers in Gaza

Sri Lanka is deeply troubled about the death of over hundred people who were waiting to receive aid in Gaza and joins the call for investigation into the incident. The latest incident underscores the immediate need to end the blockade imposed on Gaza,...

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses issues ranging from debt relief to climate change and bilateral relations during the World Economic Forum in Davos

Attending the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos, Switzerland at the invitation of its Founder and Chairman Prof. Klaus Schwab, President Ranil Wickremesinghe interacted with world...

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Eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions 11 – 14 September 2023

Eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions 11 – 14 September 2023 Statement by Sri Lanka Agenda Item 8: General Exchange of Views Thank you Mr. President, Sri Lanka joins...

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Fourth Session of the open-ended working group on reducing space threats through norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviours, 28 Aug – 01 Sep 2023

General Intervention by H.E. Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, on 28 August 2023 Mr. Chair, Sri Lanka compliments the work accomplished...

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The Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 7-18 August 2023, Palais des Nations in Geneva

Intervention by Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon, National Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health on National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens (NIDP) Thank you...

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The Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), 7-18 August 2023 Intervention by Sri Lanka on Implementation of Biological Weapons Convention Plan

Intervention by Dr. Samiddhi Samarakoon, National Coordinator, Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health on the Implementation of Biological Weapons Convention Plan in...

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NOTICE

Launching website of the new visa system from 16 April 2024.

The previous online visa website (Electronic Travel Authorization-ETA) has expired since 16 April 2024.

Please use the following link to apply for ETA from 17 April 2024 onwards.

www.srilankaevisa.lk

Welcome to Sri Lanka

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The EU-Sri Lanka Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation met on 11 May 2016 in Brussels. The meeting, held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, was co-chaired by Mrs. Sonali Wijeratne, Director General of Commerce, for Sri Lanka and Mr. Peter Berz, Head of Unit, European Commission Directorate General for Trade, for the EU.

The Working Group discussed issues related to bilateral trade and investment and possible means for their promotion in a mutual beneficial manner. In particular it discussed Sri Lanka's intention in applying for GSP+ status under the European Union's GSP Regulation. It took positive note of the fact that Sri Lanka had made significant progress in addressing outstanding issues towards launching an application, especially relating to the rule of law, democracy, governance and the overall situation pertaining to human and labour rights and environmental protection.

They welcomed that as a result of Sri Lanka's successful reform of its fisheries governance system, the Commission has proposed to Council on 21 April 2016 the lifting of the import ban related to illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

They also discussed bilateral matters and noted progress related to investment dialogue, customs valuation and exports of fruits and vegetables from Sri Lanka to the EU.

The EU and Sri Lanka also reviewed the results and work ahead after the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi and expressed their hope that the Trade Facilitation Agreement would enter into force as soon as possible, while noting action already taken by Sri Lanka to ratify the agreement.

Sri Lanka and EU noted the imminent launch of the trade related technical assistance projects to assist SMEs’ trade competitiveness in regional and EU markets under EU’s Regional Programming for Asia (Multiannual Indicative Programme 2014-2020).

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Brussels

11 May 2016