Canada Archives

July 5, 2023

Dubai, UAE – 5 July 2023: Emirates has taken off to Montréal, marking the airline’s first passenger flight to Québec’s culture capital, its second gateway in Canada. Emirates flight EK243 departed with 340 passengers, including a VIP delegation and media onboard at 0300hrs today.

The new daily service to Montréal complements Emirates’ seven weekly services to Toronto and takes the airline’s North American network to 14 destinations and a total of 18 across the Americas. The service will provide travellers to Canada connectivity via Dubai from points such as Lebanon, India, Iran, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and South Africa.

Direct services between Dubai and Montréal are expected to meet demand from a diverse mix of demographics, including business and leisure travellers, in addition to visiting family and friends that consists of Canadians living and working in the UAE. With Montréal being home to a number of world-class universities, the route is expected to become immensely popular amongst students from the Middle East, West and Central Asia and Far East.

Emirates executives onboard included: Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer; Salem Obaidalla, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Americas; and David Broz, Vice President Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs. Present at the airport to bid farewell to the delegation was HE Radha Krishna Panday, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE.

Commanding the inaugural flight to Montréal was Captain Talal Al Hammadi (UAE National), Captain David Reny (Canadian), First Officer Omar Alhammadi (UAE National) and First Officer Veljko Veljovic (Canadian).

Emirates will operate its three-class Boeing 777-300ER on the route, featuring eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and over 300 spacious seats in Economy Class for the daily service.

June 28, 2023

Happy Canada Day! As High Commissioner to both Sri Lanka and Maldives, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to all Canadians and friends of Canada working, traveling or residing in this part of the world. On this special day, the 156^th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, the thoughts of Canadians around the world turn to home – a country known for its breathtaking landscapes, multiculturalism, and unity in diversity – a vibrant society standing as a beacon of inclusivity and progress. Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of the Canadian people, and reflect upon the values that have made Canada an inspiration for many around the world.

Since my arrival in December, I have met Sri Lankans from various communities across the country who have either travelled to Canada to further their education, to visit family and friends, or to make it their home. The connections between our respective peoples run deep and I am pleased to celebrate our national day among so many who have strong ties to my homeland. Canada has been a steadfast partner to Sri Lanka over many decades. My drive down the Canada Friendship Road upon first arriving in Colombo is but one example of our long partnership. I have also had the pleasure of visiting Maldives twice in recent months, and it is heartening to observe our growing collaboration firsthand. I was especially proud to see how Canadian seaplanes are contributing to island connectivity in Maldives.

I am keenly aware that I started my tenure in Sri Lanka at a pivotal moment, in the midst of an economic crisis of unprecedented severity. Canada has contributed to the relief of those hardest hit by the effects of the crisis, and we continue to stand with Sri Lankans in their pursuit of economic recovery. At the same time, we recognize this moment as an opportunity to foster genuine change, so that Sri Lanka emerges from this crisis a more inclusive and prosperous society, prepared to meet the future and achieve its true potential. As Canada continues to grapple with the hard truths of its own past and to work with Indigenous peoples to address long-standing injustices, we remain ready to draw upon our own experiences in support Sri Lanka’s efforts toward meaningful and lasting national reconciliation.

Looking ahead, we have both new and long-standing priorities to focus on. In 2022, Canada launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy to guide its international engagement and strengthen our ties with people in the region. Amongst our priorities are the promotion of peace, resilience and security, as well as building a sustainable and green future. As home to 20% of the world’s freshwater supply and the world’s longest ocean coastline, Canada understands intrinsically the importance of responsible environmental stewardship, including the protection of vital marine ecosystems. I know that this is a particular concern shared by both Maldivians and Sri Lankans, made ever more pressing in the face of the formidable threats posed by climate change. We look forward to continued collaboration and exchanges on these and other matters, given that the challenges we face are best resolved by working together.

On this Canada Day, I hope Canadians around Sri Lanka and Maldives will find an opportunity to proudly celebrate our diverse and vibrant country!

Happy Canada Day to all!

Eric Walsh
High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka and the Maldives

May 16, 2023

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, May, 2023 – The Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs

(COYLE) kicked off its series of monthly meetings for 2023 with an insightful discussion led by Mr. Eric Walsh, the distinguished High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Mr. Walsh initiated his keynote address by drawing an intriguing comparison between the political landscapes of Sri Lanka and Canada. Unlike the frequently binary and adversarial nature of politics in many countries, where politics can resemble a blood sport, Sri Lanka’s political scene is characterized by a unique fluidity. Political alliances often shift, and the middle ground is not as distinctly defined. This understanding of the political ebb and flow is crucial for any foreign entity looking to establish business ties in Sri Lanka, as it significantly impacts the economic and regulatory environment.

The High Commissioner’s speech also underscored the complexities extending from the political sphere into the business sector, particularly when forging Sri Lanka-Canada partnerships. He addressed one of the most pressing challenges – corruption and bribery. These unethical practices not only side-line policies but also pose a significant risk for Canadian companies, as under Canada’s stringent laws, companies can face prosecution on home soil for engaging in bribery overseas. This acts as a significant deterrent for Canadian businesses contemplating ventures in Sri Lanka, thereby limiting opportunities for economic collaboration.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Walsh expressed cautious optimism about Sri Lanka’s future, likening its current position to a crossroads. Drawing from his vast diplomatic experience and time spent in Sri Lanka, he emphasized that confronting corruption and driving toward a more transparent, equitable business environment could act as the catalyst for Sri Lanka’s economic renewal.

COYLE’s series of meetings are strategically designed to promote dialogue on these pressing issues. By fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, COYLE aligns with economic development initiatives and the government’s efforts to stimulate growth. The objective is to pave the way for ethical, mutually beneficial business partnerships that will contribute to Sri Lanka’s international economic development.

COYLE remains steadfast in maintaining this momentum, with plans to host a variety of guest speakers from diverse backgrounds in future meetings. These discussions will continue to focus on the multi-dimensional challenges and opportunities that Sri Lankan entrepreneurs face in a global context.

As Sri Lanka navigates through its political and economic challenges, platforms like COYLE, which foster open dialogue and collaborative thinking, are crucial in shaping a more prosperous future for the nation. COYLE’s initiative in championing such discussions is a testament to its commitment to the betterment of Sri Lanka and its entrepreneurial community.

As we look towards the future, COYLE will continue to serve as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, advocating for ethical business practices, economic growth, and the development of a robust and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sri Lanka.

For more information, please visit www.coyle.lk or contact our media liaison at admin@coyle.lk

March 2, 2023

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), which prides itself on being a world-class professional body, continued to expand its global presence by launching its seventh overseas chapter in Canada.

The CA Sri Lanka Canada Chapter was formally launched at the Burnaby Executive Hotel in Vancouver in the presence of Mr. Sanjaya Bandara, President of CA Sri Lanka.

The new chapter is boosted with a membership of over 100 members of CA Sri Lanka who are currently employed in Canada, serving multiple industries spread across Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and Saskatchewan provinces.

The Canada Chapter was formed to provide support for CA members residing in Canada to further their knowledge and provide a forum for sharing their knowledge and experiences of working in Canada. The chapter will also assist in improving the technical and other skills, while enabling members to meet the minimum ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) requirements as mandated by CA Sri Lanka in line with international standards.

In his speech, Mr. Bandara said that CA Sri Lanka has systematically spread its wings globally by establishing overseas chapters in countries where there is a large concentration of members residing and working.

He also noted that the formation of the chapter in Canada is specially historic because it is the first overseas chapter of CA Sri Lanka in the North American region

“I am hopeful that the formation of the new CA Sri Lanka Canada Chapter will be the beginning of an enhanced relationship, not only in relation to our profession but also as an important nexus in strengthening the ties between both Sri Lanka and Canada,” he added.

Executive Committee of the CA Sri Lanka Canada Chapter for comprises of the following members:

Nilmini Fernando – President
Pasan Hettiarachchi – Vice President
Niluka Abeygunaratne – Secretary
Priyantha Wijayasinghe – Treasurer
Vishwanath Kumar – Director
Sureka Randunuge – Director
Asintha Hewage – Director
Dickshan Maduranga – Director
Nalinda Dissanayaka – Director

For more information on the activities of the CA Sri Lanka Canada Chapter, please visit www.caslcanada.com

CA Sri Lanka also has chapters in Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

January 10, 2023

VitalHub Innovations Lab, the software development hub of Canadian-based VitalHub Corp., a leader in providing cutting edge technology solutions for healthcare organizations across Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Europe, recently celebrated 15 years of enduring success, growth and resilience in Sri Lanka with a glamorous event held at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

The event saw the participation of Dan Matlow, President and CEO of VitalHub Corp. and Vijit Coomara, EVP Product Development as chief guests including Daniel Bood, Acting High Commissioner/Counselor – Political and Trade and Abdul Majeed, Senior Trade Officer from the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka, and SLASSCOM Chairman Ashique Ali.

‘VitalHub has been a long-standing and well-respected member of the IT&BPM industry in Sri Lanka and have been supportive of the industry growth more so on the talent development throughout the country,’ said Ashique. ‘I was impressed to witness the key role VitalHub Innovation Lab in Sri Lanka play supporting the rapid global growth of the parent company VitalHub by bringing innovation, integration, and services to the healthcare sector they serve in many countries.’

Daniel Bood said ‘I was proud to be part of celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of VitalHub’s operations in Sri Lanka. As an ethically managed Canadian company consisting of talented individuals who produce high quality products that save lives, VitalHub is making the world a better place.’

Long-standing employees serving the company for 5, 10, and 15 years were facilitated with awards and recognitions, which speaks volumes for itself given the industry’s retention. ‘I couldn’t be prouder of what our talented team have achieved in the last 15 years, contributing immensely to VitalHub’s achievements. It’s been an incredible journey and we’re excited to take on the future,’ added Vijit Coomara – EVP Product Development.

The celebratory event also featured various colorful performances of music, dances and also crowning a king and queen, with full of surprises and competitions among colleagues. This joyful evening was filled with unforgettable memories to reminisce.

With over 300 employees engaged in engineering, product development, client support, acquisitions and mergers, operations, and business development, VitalHub Innovations Lab is only growing stronger, being constantly on the lookout for passionate individuals to be part of its fun, skilled and energetic workplace culture that champions creativity and support.

Employees here are often referred to as change makers, and the very fabric of bringing innovative solutions and exploring new possibilities to take on the world of healthcare technology. Some of the benefits include hybrid work culture, CAD pegged salaries, funding for renewal power, internet allowances, among various others.

Being in Sri Lanka for 15 years, we strive to Digitize Innovative Healthcare Solutions across the healthcare continuum. Headquartered in Canada, VitalHub develops and deploys information technology solutions for North American healthcare organizations. Our software development team uses the latest tools and techniques to ensure that our SaaS web / cloud-based software releases are innovative.

January 9, 2023

January 5, 2023 – Colombo, Sri Lanka – In response to the humanitarian appeals launched by the United Nations (UN) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Canada is providing $3 million (approx. LKR817 million) to help address the needs of the most vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.

This contribution will be delivered through the UN and the IFRC, in collaboration with their local partners, to support the provision of emergency food assistance, health and nutrition services, access to safe water and other essential services to those who need it the most.

In addition, Canada has pivoted ongoing international assistance projects to address immediate needs and help respond to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, including the procurement of essential medical equipment and supplies.

Canada continues to stand with all Sri Lankans in these difficult times and remains committed to supporting an inclusive and prosperous Sri Lanka.

December 21, 2022

Xitricon – a leading consulting, technology, and digital transformation services company with offices in the UAE, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, India, and Canada, celebrated its Excellence and Service Appreciation Awards Night, in MovenPick Hotel, Colombo recently. Xitricon serves global companies in maritime operations, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, and service industries.

Xitricon’s top performers were recognized for their performance and excellence in several award categories, including Most Valuable Professional, Shining Star Award, Rookie Star Award, Project Excellence Award, and Service Appreciation Awards.

The company claims to employ over 160 people. Xitricon employees are spread across many countries, with the majority of them working remotely. Nearly 40 employees were flown to Colombo from the UAE, India, and Pakistan to attend the gala awards ceremony.

Mr. Rifai Wahid, CEO of Xitricon stated, “This is a unique opportunity for Xitricon to recognize our global employees, engage and network with teams working remotely. At Xitricon, we believe our employees are an asset that helps drive our business”.

The Xitricon Excellence and Service Appreciation Awards has become a highly anticipated annual event in the employee engagement calendar that fosters an appreciation of employees who have proven their dedication and loyalty to the company. It also promotes peer recognition across the workplace by ensuring employees are nominated for service excellence awards by their peers. All nominees are evaluated against category-specific criteria by a cross-functional people practice and operations panel.

The awards gala is part of Xitricon’s employee recognition and motivation program, which showcases the company’s acclaimed work culture, rewards, and recognition, which has been critical in attracting top talent globally.

August 18, 2022

Colombo, 15 August, 2022: Canada and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 15 August 2022 to implement the WUSC Volunteer Cooperation Program 2020-2027. The MoU was signed by Mr. David McKinnon, High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka and Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, at the Ministry of Finance.

Signing the MoU, Mr McKinnon said “The program will contribute to sustainable economic growth in Sri Lanka and foster closer relations between our two countries. IGNI+E will bring valued technical assistance and create opportunities for enhanced cooperation between the Canadian and Sri Lankan participants.”

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Innovative Global Networks for Inclusion & Equality (IGNI+E) Project is a volunteer program spanning over nine countries, including Sri Lanka. This seven year initiative (2020-2027) is implemented by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). It will support local partners to implement initiatives and provide services for poor and marginalised youth, particularly young women, in a sustainable, innovative and inclusive manner. WUSC brings more than three decades of participation in Sri Lanka’s development, as part of Canada’s enduring commitment to building a prosperous and inclusive Sri Lanka. The IGNI+E project in Sri Lanka will support government, non-governmental, private and social enterprise sectors, by engaging and harnessing the knowledge and expertise of qualified Canadian volunteers. Eighteen Sri Lankan volunteers will also be selected to support local partners in the project. Two of the Sri Lankan volunteers will participate in a workshop in Canada on green entrepreneurship and gender lens investment. Their visit will include meetings with think tanks and exposure to business incubators/accelerators supporting women entrepreneurs working on climate initiatives in Canada.

September 29, 2020

The High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives is pleased to announce this year’s Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) partners.

After a highly competitive process, we congratulate the following recipients:

Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, Maldives,
People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL),
Environment Foundation Limited (EFL),
Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV),
Planeterra,
Center for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka (CIR),
Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI),
Northern Cooperative Development Bank (NCDB), and
Zero Waste Maldives.

The CFLI supports small-scale, high-impact projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners in Sri Lanka and Maldives. This enables Canada to respond to local needs by working at the community level. Equally important, the CFLI serves to strengthen Canada’s relationships with civil society and local communities.

This year, the CFLI’s call for proposal focused on key thematic areas: Inclusive governance, Environment and climate action and Growth that works for everyone, including women’s economic rights.

Given the current pandemic, the CFLI program was also able to respond to Covid-19 related proposals, including a contribution of $100,000CAD in support of the Maldives Government’s efforts in providing basic services to the homeless and the most vulnerable communities impacted by Covid-19 in Malé.

In Sri Lanka, the CFLI has already supported CMEV and PAFFREL’s contribution towards ensuring a creditable parliamentary election — free of violence and with the distribution of PPE to voters and observers at selected voting locations.

From pandemic response, to election monitoring, to women’s economic empowerment and climate action, we stand proud to work together with Sri Lankans and Maldivians to find solutions to issues that matters to them.

September 20, 2020

Rosedale Academy & AIBS launch the Global University Pathway Program

The Rosedale Academy in Ontario, Canada & The Asian Institute of Business & Science (AIBS) proudly launches the Global University Pathway Program (GUPP), a unique pre-university pathway programme that provides Sri Lankan students with the exclusive advantage of accessing 500+ leading universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, UK, USA, New Zealand & Singapore upon successful completion of the programme in Sri Lanka.

The Global University Pathway Program comprises of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (1-year university pathway) which can be completed in 10 months of full-time study at AIBS. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) qualification is jointly awarded by the Ontario Ministry of Education and Rosedale Academy.

Mrs. Rohini Nanayakkara – Chairperson – AIBS said, “I am delighted to be a part of this pathbreaking partnership, a first between Canada & Sri Lanka in the education space. AIBS is focused on delivering internationally accredited qualifications in Sri Lanka & this is yet another initiative to bring a globally accepted university entry qualification to our doorstep. The Rosedale Academy, a globally renowned academic institution based in Ontario, Canada entered into an agreement with AIBS as its partner in Sri Lanka to facilitate the delivery of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) to Sri Lankan & Maldivian students.”

Through this pre-university program, students in Sri Lanka will for the first time have access to the Canadian secondary education curriculum, opening doors to post-secondary institutions in Canada and around the world. The Rosedale model will also contribute to strengthening local Sri Lankan education institutions by including them into an international collaborative teaching network.

The Chairperson further stated that “AIBS is proud to be associated in this venture that will bring many benefits to the education industry in Sri Lanka including access to global curricula, training & certification of local teaching faculty, transfer of technology and collaboration with global universities. “

His Excellency David McKinnon – High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada and the Maldives commented on this partnership: “I extend my congratulations to Rosedale Academy and the Asian Institute of Business and Science (AIBS) on their partnership to deliver the Global University Pathway Program in Sri Lanka. The Rosedale Academy is an independent high school in Toronto, Canada (BSID# 668726), inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to grant OSSD course credits and issue the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

“Sri Lanka and Canada enjoy a long-standing partnership, which has for decades involved collaboration in the field of education. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way students learn, and we are looking for innovative ways to maintain those education links. The Rosedale program’s digital learning platform, which features multi-media content and interactive learning activities, is one such way to enable Sri Lankans to discover the high-quality education qualifications that Canada offers, right here in Sri Lanka.” His Excellency further stated.

AIBS currently offers diverse and much-needed education qualifications in the private tertiary education sector in Sri Lanka, in the areas of Science and Business. The new program opens up new and exciting avenues for students seeking world-class education and extends to them the opportunity of studying abroad with minimum hassle.

Rosedale Academy & AIBS believe in the utmost importance of grooming students by providing a globally recognized qualification in a friendly yet professional environment via a holistic approach so that students will evolve into future leaders wherever they go.

Older Posts

Emirates takes off to Montréal

Message from the High Commissioner of Canada on the Occasion of Canada Day

“COYLE’s Inaugural General Meeting of 2023 Sheds Light on Sri Lanka-Canada Political Landscape and Business Challenges”

CA Sri Lanka expands its global footprint with an overseas chapter in Canada

VitalHub Innovations Lab celebrates 15 years of unwavering commitment in making the world a better place

Canada provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka

Xitricon Celebrates Excellence and Service Appreciation Awards 2022

Canada and Sri Lanka sign a MoU to implement a Volunteer Cooperation program

The High Commission of Canada announces Canada Fund for Local Initiatives recipients

The 1st transnational education partnership between Sri Lanka & Canada