ANNOUNCEMENTS 

SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSION

Cordially invites all Sri Lankans

to a

Vesak commemorative Sermon

by Ven. Ajahn Vajiro Thero

(Incumbent, Amarawati Buddhist Monastery, Hemel Hampstead)

on Saturday 17 May 2008 at 5.00 pm

at the High Commission premises

All those who wish to participate are kindly requested to 

contact telephone number 020 7262 1841 Ext 239/240.

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To Mark the Vesak Celebrations on 19 May 2008

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(SPECIMEN APPLICATION)

 Application for the Post of ………………………………

 (N.B. – The envelope containing the application should be marked “Application for the post of …………….” on the top left-hand corner and should be sent under recorded delivery addressed to the Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka High Commission, 13 Hyde Park Gardens, London W2 2LU)

 1.         Name in full                   :

 2.         Address                        :

 3.         Date and Place of birth:  (copy of the birth certificate to be attached)

 4.         Nationality                     :

 4.1        Visa status in the UK (copy of valid visa)

 5.         Civil Status                    :

 6.         Educational and /or Technical qualifications (copies of certificates to be attached)

 7.         Particulars of employment and/training, since leaving school (copies of certificates/records to be annexed).

 8.         If previously employed give cause of leaving :

 9.         If ever convicted of any criminal offence in a Court of Law give particulars of Offence and punishments:

 10.               Names and designations of three non-related persons from whom Character/employment certificates have been furnished (copies to be submitted).

 Date:                                                                Signature : 

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NOTICE 

MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS

 With a view to facilitating export of professional/skilled services to the UK, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London has initiated a dialogue with the concerned British authorities towards concluding a bi - lateral Agreement for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications. 

The High Commission will be facilitating the negotiation process between the Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka and the National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) together with the British Council who will be jointly handling this project.

The process of identifying the Sri Lankan qualifications that are to be considered under this Agreement has commenced. In this context Sri Lankan professional organizations are invited to inform the High Commission of any difficulties, if any, faced by their members with regard to the recognition of their Sri Lankan qualifications by the British authorities. The proposed agreement once concluded, is expected to facilitate labour and academic mobility between the two countries without hindrance. 

You may forward the requested information to: - mail@slhc-london.co.uk to the attention of the Commercial Section. For further information please contact Mr Deeptha Kulatilleke, Minister (Commercial) Tele : 00 44 020 7262 1841  Ext : 246    _______________________________________________________

SRI LANKAN COMPANIES READY TO PROVIDE

WORK EXPERIENCE

                        -  High Commissioner Kshenuka Senewiratne 

           A number of leading Sri Lankan companies and organizations have agreed to provide internships for work experience to the Sri Lankan students pursuing their higher studies in the UK during the summer vacation.  This is sequel to an initiative of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, considering that such facilitation would enhance the skills and opportunities for these undergraduates, which could also serve to attract them back to Sri Lanka on graduation,  as the companies may find employable talent in this process. In fact many Sri Lankan companies have commended the  High Commission in providing this opportunity for the corporate sector to assist and gain from young graduates with international exposure.  

This programme was announced by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK, Kshenuka Senewiratne at a fellowship of the Sri Lankan students,  convened for the first time at the High Commission,  providing a forum with a view to establishing a mutually beneficial link between the student community and the High Commission.  A large number of Sri Lankan students attended this event. 

The High Commissioner further elaborated  that not only Sri Lankan blue chip companies such as John Keells Holdings, Aitken Spence, Ceylinco, Brandix, Delmege,  Dilmah Tea, Mas Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka Insurance, Dialog Telekom, Holcim (Lanka) had agreed to be partners in this programme,  but a number of leading banks such as DFCC, Bank of Ceylon Peoples Bank, Hatton National Bank, HSBC, Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank and hospitals such as Nawaloka and Apollo  had also  come forward with positive and encouraging responses.  In addition, government institutions such as Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Telecom, Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, SriLankan Airlines and Trade Chambers, namely  the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry have also confirmed their interests in offering internships during the summer vacation.  

During the well attended meeting an informal core group comprising volunteers was formed with a view to maintaining a regular dialogue with the High Commission.  The High Commissioner underscored the importance of the students uniting in diversity and projecting a Sri Lankan identity and being one community abroad.  She pointed out that they also represent the country in the UK and could assist in building a positive image of Sri Lanka and make it better known among the British public especially as a tourist destination. 

Students seeking work experience in Sri Lanka during the forth coming summer vacation are requested to forward a brief CV indicating areas of  interest for training and the preferred companies  by e mail : mail@slhc-london.co.uk   to the attention of either Mr. Deeptha Kulatilleke-Minister (Commercial) or Mr. Indika  Karunajeewa – Counsellor (Consular and Culture).  The participating list of companies was distributed at the meeting and could also be accessed on the Sri Lanka High Commission website: www.slhclondon.org

Sri Lankan Companies / Organizations which have agreed to 

provide work experience 

 The above is in response to a request for internships made by the High Commission to a number of selected Sri Lankan companies / organizations.  Students are requested to forward a brief CV indicating area of interest for training and the preferred companies by e mail : mail@slhc-london.co.uk to the attention of either  Mr. Deeptha Kulatilleke – Minister (Commercial) or to Mr. Indika Karunajeeva - Counsellor (Consular & Culture), who will in turn forward same to the companies concerned for consideration.

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CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA

Communications Department

30, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1. 

Tel : 2477424, 2477639,2477420        Fax : 2346257, 2477739

E-mail: dcommunications@cbsl.lk ; communications@cbsl.lk 

PRESS RELEASE

Date:   30.01.2007

Issued By: Public Debt Department 

Foreign Investment in Government Treasury Bonds

Exceeds Rs 2.4 billion(US dollar 23 million)  

In response to Government’s invitation to foreign investors to invest up to 5% of the outstanding Treasury Bonds, overseas clients of Citibank N.A (Rs 2,400 million) and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. ( Rs 30 million) have, by 30^th January 2007, invested Rs. 2,430 million in Treasury bonds in foreign currency (equivalent to US dollars 23 million). Of this total, investment made through the primary market amounted to Rs 1,950 million and the balance via the secondary market. This development is considered a very positive start and provides a substantial momentum to meet the target of Rs 20 billion for the year 2007 set by the Government. 

Details on currently available Treasury bonds and prevailing market rates can be obtained from Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs), Primary Dealers (PDs) and the CBSL website (www.cbsl.lk). 

Operating instructions issued to authorized dealers by the Exchange Control Department of the CBSL, Guidelines issued to participating   agents and foreign investors, Investors Guide and a list of Treasury bond series available for foreign investors  are also available on the Central Bank website. 

Details can also be obtained from the Public Debt Department (PDD) of the CBSL. 

Telephone:  94-11-2477274,   94-11-2477212,   94-11-2477278,   94-11-2477281

Fax:                  94-11-2477718 / 19 or 94-11-2477759

E-mail:    pddrbw@cbsl.lk,   siriwardena@cbsl.lk ,   pdddvs@cbsl.lk

Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama appointed as new Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, MP,was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 28th January 2007. Minister Bogollagama has served as a member of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Government of Sri Lanka holding the positions of Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, and previously both as Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development and Minister of Industries. 

He entered Parliament in 2000 and during this period has served in the Parliamentary Consultative Committees on Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Industrial Development & Investment Promotion and Power & Energy.

In 2005, he served as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in Parliament, an Oversight Committee of the legislature responsible for accountability of Public Enterprises to Parliament.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
28th January 2007

PUBLIC DAY AT SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSION – UNITED KINGDOM 

As part of the implementation of policy set out in the Mahinda Chinthanaya, H.E the President has directed that weekly Public Days be held in all Sri Lanka Missions abroad. In this context, arrangements will be made from Wednesday 24 January 2007 onwards to hold a weekly Public Day every Wednesday, at the Sri Lanka High Commission, London. On the weekly Public Day the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK will be able to meet  the Head of Mission between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm and other diplomatic officers of the High Commission from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm without prior appointments. The public may wish to take this opportunity to discuss any matters of interest that require the attention or action of the High Commission.

The High Commissioner

Sri Lanka High Commission

United Kingdom

Media Release

New Secretaries appointed. 

His Excellency the President has appointed three new Secretaries to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Fisheries and Health. 

Accordingly Dr. Palitha Kohona has been appointed the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with immediate effect. 

Director General, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Mr. G.Piyasena is the new Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Director General, Health Services Dr. H.A.P.Kahanda Liyanage is appointed the new Secretary to the Health Care and Nutrition Ministry, both of them to take over the duties of their respective ministries with effect from 17.01.2007. 

Letter of appointment for them were handed over by H.E. the President today(12) at temple trees. 

Chandrapala Liyanage

Coordinating Director (Media)

Office of the President

January 12,2007

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OPERATIONAL .

The official website of the Department of Commerce , Sri Lanka is now fully operational.  Website address is :  www.doc.gov.lk

This website contains among other things, latest developments relating to Sri Lanka’s bilateral, regional and multilateral trade relations with other countries.

 It is also the most reliable source to obtain information relating to the Free Trade Agreements that Sri Lanka has signed with India and Pakistan.   While  full texts of these Agreements and salient features are available in the website, it also provides useful information on the progress of the WTO negotiations and details of recent trade preferences offered to Sri Lanka under the EU-GSP Plus Scheme by the European Union.

   Information provided in the website are useful for both importers /exporters, general public, government organizations, trade chambers, product associations, business councils and students of international trade.  

Change of E-Mail Address :

Please note that the e-mail address of Sri Lanka High Commission has been changed. Our new e-mail address is

  mail@slhc-london.co.uk

Ministry of Internal Administration

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION & EMIGRATION

To All Foreign Nationals Visiting Sri Lanka

It has been revealed that many foreign nationals who arrive as tourists to Sri Lanka are engaged in various activities, which are prohibited by law. Therefore it is hereby notified that from 1st November 2006 that all tourists who are given 30 days landing visa on arrival are expected to leave Sri Lanka at-the end of the stipulated period.

All categories of persons who are expected to engage in paid or unpaid business, trade, work, investments or studies should obtain the necessary entry visa from Sri Lanka Minions abroad with my approval. Please note that under any circumstances no visitor visas will be converted to Residence / Working visas:

Further information may be obtained from the  following places,

(1)      Visa Division

Department of Immigration & Emigration
Level 03,              .         

No; 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha Punchi Borella, Colombo 10

                   Tel: 011-5 329300/ Fax 011 2674631

 E-mail:  adcvisa@immigration.gov.lk

         (2)     Sri Lanka Missions Overseas

(3)                      Department Web Site :- www.immigration.gov.lk

Ii should be noted that legal action will be taken against those who  violate visa conditions and also harbour / employ such persons.

P.B. Abeykoon

Controller of Immigration & Emigration

No; 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha

Colombo - 10