Category Press Release

International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is an international organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development, headquartered in Patancheru (Hyderabad, Telangana,) with several regional centers and research stations in African Continent. It was founded in 1972 by a consortium of organizations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller foundations and charter was signed by the FAO and the UNDP. Deputy High Commissioner met Dr. A. K. Padhee, IAS, Director, Country Relations of ICRISAT and discussed on possible collaborations on agriculture between Sri Lankan Stakeholders and ICRISAT.

https://www.icrisat.org/

Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, the Deputy High Commissioner, paid a visit to New Delhi from 29^th March to 1^st April, and met several Government officials and Business delegates. In this visit, Deputy High Commissioner met Mr. Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson and Joint Secretary [XP] of Ministry of External Affairs at the Spokesperson’s Office, MEA and discussions were focused on the cordial bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India

Exemption of Pre-Departure COVID19 testing PCR Rapid Antigen Test

Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Chennai and Ms. Prashanthi Krishnamoorthy, First Secretary met Mr. Oscar Mundiya, Chief of Mission, UNHCR – India and Mr. Satchithananda Valan Michael, Head of Field Office, UNHCR – Chennai, today at Chancery Premises, to discuss the updated situation of Sri Lankan Refugees in Southern India. Mr. Kiri Atri, Asst. External Relations Officer, UNHCR – New Delhi and Ms. Srividhya Mahesh, Senior. Admin Assistant, UNHCR – Chennai also presented at the meeting

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai has issued 208 Citizenship Certificates for Sri Lankans from Gummidipoondi and Puzhal in Tamil Nadu, at a special consular camps organized at the Chancery premises on 15th & 23rd February, 2022.

A special consular camp was held at Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai on 15th February, 2022. 83 birth certificates were issued in this camp and applications for 64 citizenship certificates were also accepted from Sri Lankans from Mandapam in Ramanathapuram and Puthupatty, Gopalpatty & Adiyanuthu in Dindigul.

As per the request of Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Fisheries in Sri Lanka, a special virtual meeting with Tamil Nadu Fishermen was organized by the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai. About 10 representatives from Fisheries Associations in several districts of Tamil Nadu participated in this meeting and expressed their concerns on disputes among the fishermen and the local authorities of both countries, prohibition of bottom trawling in the region, auctioning of Indian boats in Sri Lanka and limitation of number of pilgrims from Southern India for the Annual festival of St. Anthony’s Church at Katchatheevu. Replying them, Hon. Minister highlighted the importance of such a joint venture for a sustainable solution for the fisheries dispute between Sri Lanka & India. He stated that bottom trawling cannot be permitted to practice, as it is prohibited in Sri Lanka. While explaining about the auctioning of Indian Fishing Vessels in Sri Lanka he mentioned that in 2020, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has informed all Government Stakeholders and fisheries communities in Tamil Nadu to retrieve their boats. But due to lack of responses for that, Indian High Commission in Colombo has requested Sri Lankan Authorities organized the auction. Further he mentioned that number of Indian participants for Katchatheevu Festival is limited due to rising Covid-19 Pandemic situation and agreed to seek the possibility of increasing the number of participants. In his discussion Hon. Minister mentioned about the proposal that Sri Lanka has shared with Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Foreign Minister of India on eliminating fisheries disputes between two Countries. But both parties were unable to pay a proper attention on that due to Covid-19 Pandemic situation which both parties got affected. Deputy High Commissioner Dr. D. Venkateshwaran and officials of the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai also participated the meeting.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai

08.02.2022

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, celebrated 74^th Independence day of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 04^th February, 2022 at the Chancery premises. Due to rising pandemic situation in Southern India, the Mission celebrated the Independence Day in a low key manner, only with the Mission staff and their family members. Prior to the official celebration, an almsgiving prepared by the Mission Staff was offered to Ven.  Buddawansalankara thero (Ven. Gauthama Mauriyar thero) of Rameshwaram. The official ceremony was inaugurated with the hoist of National flag at the Chancery premises by D. Venkateshwaran, the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Southern India. Hindu, Islamic and Catholic dignitaries from Tamil Nadu also participated the event along with their blessings. The felicitation messages from Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Foreign Minister also conveyed to the audience at the event.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai

04.02.2022

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai has organized a special consular camp on 29^th & 30^th December, 2021 at the chancery premises. In this special camp, 47 birth certificates and 20 citizenship certificates were issued for Sri Lankans from Kottapattu in Trichy, Thottanuthu in Dindigul and Boganallur in Tirunelveli. Previously, special consular camps have been regularly organized by the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai. Due to the COVID pandemic situation, it has been temporarily suspended in March 2020. But considering the enormous service extended to the Sri Lankan expatriate community living in Southern India via such camps, Mission has again initiated to organize these camps since October, 2021, adhering to all health & safety guidelines.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai

30.12.2021

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, with the message of peace, celebrated Christmas on 21^st December 2021 at the Chancery premises. The message of god and the prayers were delivered by Rev. Manova Santhosham, Pastor and Chairman, Egmore Wesley Church and Rev. R. L. Richardson, Pastor and Presbyter, St. Mary’s Church at St. George Fort. Mission has invited teachers & students of C.S.I. Higher Secondary School for the Deaf in Chennai to share the joy of Christmas. As Christmas gifts, essential materials and equipment were donated to C.S.I. Higher Secondary School, with the financial assistance of the Mission Staff. Christmas Carols, dancing items by invited student, Mission staff and their family members were performed at the event and was concluded with a delicious dinner hosted by the Mission.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai

27.12.2021

A delegation of ‘South India Powerloom Federation’, the confederation of weaving associations in Southern States, along with Dr. M. S. Mathivanan, the Chairman of the Federation, visited Sri Lanka on 22^nd November, 2021, under the invitation of Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India. As South India has the historical and largest contribution to the Powerloom industry in India, the objective of this visit was to strengthen business links between South India and Sri Lanka as well as to seek the opportunities to ‘Invest in Sri Lanka’ in Textile Industry. In this visit, the Delegation headed by Dr. Venkateshwaran met Hon. Basil Rajapaksha, Minister of Finance, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, State Minister of batik, handloom, and local apparel products, Hon. Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister of urban development, Mr. Ajith Nivad Cabral, Governor of the Central Bank, Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, Foreign Secretary and Mr. Sanjaya Mohottala, Chairman, Board of Investment to discuss new avenues on developing Powerloom industry in Sri Lanka. Further, the delegation visited National Chamber of Commerce and Colombo Business Association together with Urban Development Authority, to discuss about trade and investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka, specifically in recently established Eravur Fabric Park, which led for several possible investment opportunities in Textile and Apparel Industry as the outcome.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai

30.11.2021

The Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India, Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, paid a courtesy call on the Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr. R. N. Ravi, at the Raj Bhavan on 16.11.2021. Matters related to enhancement of bilateral cooperation and developments were discussed. Further, the discussion was focused on building up goodwill and increased connectivity between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. In addition people centric programmes were an important highlight in the meeting agenda.

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission celebrated Deepavali on 22^nd October 2021 at the Chancery premises. Deepavali is widely celebrated all over Sri Lanka as well as India and is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Deepavali is also known as the festival of lights. The entire Chancery premises were illuminated with colorful lights, glowing oil lamps, vibrant colours of rangoli and floral décor. Various cultural events depicting Sri Lankan as well as Indian arts forms were performed at the event by the Mission staff and their family members.

Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka

Chennai