We Sri Lankans who have sacrificed immensely to ensure the sovereignty of the nation, celebrates this 65th national independence day with the pride.

 The nation has embarked on a path of development which has made freedom really meaningful. This is a very difficult and challenging task, the fulfillment of which would bring both justice and prosperity to the nation. The time has now dawned when you and your children need not to think with fear and suspicion about the future.

We have acted with a firm commitment to defeat local and foreign forces ranged against the country. Even when the leadership is faced with difficult and challenging situations we have a principled commitment not to betray the country.in doing so, we derive immense strength from the enormous cooperation we receive from the people.

 Unity among communities and religious harmony are vital factors for the development of the country. Divisions among us will strengthen various hostile forces seeking to deny us our freedom. When all communities rise in unity, the forces hostile to the country will be weakened and freedom further strengthened. We celebrate the 65th independence with firm determination and clear commitment to national unity.

 We salute and pay our homage to all patriots who have made the supreme to safeguard the freedom and sovereignty of the nation.

Ten Sri Lankan Software Companies Participated at GITEX  Technology Week – 2012 in Dubai 

Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai organized a Country Pavilion at GITEX 2012. This year, 10 Sri Lankan software companies exhibited their software solutions at GITEX Technology Week held in Dubai World Trade Centre from October 14-18, 2012.

Sri Lanka’s software export sector is known for providing automated application testing and infrastructure outsourcing, high-end R & D, enterprise resource planning [ERP] implementation, cloud and open source applications, among others.

Sri Lankan software has been exported to regions such as North America, EU, Australasia, East Asia and Middle East. Several fortune 500 companies from the USA, Ireland, U.K., Australia etc. and joint venture development companies from Sweden, Norway, USA, Japan etc.  have chosen Sri Lanka as an offshore development centre.

Mr. Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman and Chief Executive of EDB said that Sri Lankan software exporters are successfully competing in several niche areas of the global ICT markets.  He said that the Middle Eastern and African software markets are also increasingly being focused by Sri Lanka’s software exporters.

Mr. Abdul Raheem, Consul General of Sri Lanka at the Business Networking Dinner Meeting organized by the Sri Lanka Mission in Dubai said that GITEX event has created a platform for Sri Lankan companies to enter Middle East markets and the global destination. IT spending in the Middle East and Africa Regions will surpass US $ 65 billion this year and growing nearly 12% every year. “Hence this is an ideal opportunities for SL companies who are participating at this important event to establish contacts and expand their business relations to other regions, particularly MENA, through GITEX 2012”, Abdul Raheem remarked.

Sri Lanka Tea Promotion Unit attached to the Consulate has organized a Ceylon Tea Serving at the Country Pavilion at GITEX 2012. 

H.E. Sarath Wijesinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in UAE, Mr. Farook Kassim, Chairman of Sri Lanka Business Council, Mr. Saman Maldeni, Director / EDB and members of the business community in Dubai attended the dinner meeting.

AccSoft Solutions (Pvt) Ltd,  Axienta (Pvt) Limited, Data Management Systems (Pvt) Ltd,  Evolve Technologies (Pvt) Limited, Eyepax IT Consulting (Pvt) Ltd, hSenid Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, IronOne Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., John Keells Computers (Pvt) Ltd, Just In Time Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, Pristine Solution (Pvt) Ltd were housed in the Sri Lankan Pavilion.

The President made these comments when he met the Sri Lankan community members, businessmen and professionals in Dubai on 23rd October 2012 at a dinner reception hosted in honor of his visit to Dubai.

The President invited Sri Lankans in Dubai to visit Sri Lanka and see the current situation in the country first hand. He requested all Sri Lankans abroad to rally round and announce their motherland's pride to the whole world. Speaking further the President said that the Sri Lankans in overseas countries, who are rendering a dedicated service to their host countries, should endeavour to render a similar dedicated service to their motherland too.

The President pointed out that certain groups sympathizing with terrorists are trying to paint a wrong picture about Sri Lanka through the Internet and stressed that people using the Internet facilities should beware of such machinations. He said that no person could make any allegations against Sri Lanka regarding peace and development if he or she visited the country at least once.

Referring to developments in the North and East, the President said the people in the North and East who suffered at the hands of terrorists as well as people in other parts of the country are enjoying all their due benefits and privileges today. The President said the country today had a network of developed schools, modern hospitals as well as a road network while almost 90 percent of the country's electricity requirements had been fully met.

The President also said new ports, airports, large scale irrigation and highway projects had been completed in the country today. Recalling one of his earlier visits to Dubai in his capacity as Labour Minister, the President said he intervened to settle many problems encountered by Sri Lankans in Dubai during that visit including allowing them to pass through the airport without getting subjected to baggage checks when they arrive in Sri Lanka.

First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Premalal Jayasekera, Deputy Minister of Power & Energy, Hon. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Monitoring Member of Parliament, Ministry of External Affairs, Hon. Nauzer Fowzie, Member of Western Provincial Council, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to H E the President also accompanied the H E the President. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized that the government is committed and dedicated to ensure continuation of the free education system in the country to make its beneficiaries the leaders in various fields in the international arena.  

The President made these observations at Temple Trees yesterday in a function held to hand over scholarships to 2,500 children of overseas employed Sri Lankans in recognition of their contribution to the country’s economic development.

The President said students and youth should not remain like frogs in a well and the government is ready to create an environment to impart knowledge to youths to play leading roles in various professional fields around the world. 

The President said when he mooted the concept of awarding scholarships to the children of overseas employed Sri Lankans in 1996 as the then Minister of Labour, there were hardly any eligible recipients above 100. He said that the education of the children of overseas employed Sri Lankans was in a state of neglect when he initiated this scheme and the success of these children will contribute to the success of the country. 

He said when he was appointed Labour Minister in 1994 only 3,000 migrant workers had been registered in the Foreign Employment Bureau out of the hundreds of thousands who left for foreign employment. He said there was no mechanism to find out where those people were employed at. 

He said that when he took initiatives at the time to make changes, most people protested against such changes, and he still remember that people who came in Pajero jeeps holding placards against it. 

The President said measures have been taken to further strengthen the laws to guarantee the rights, well - being and the protection of migrant workers. 
Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera, UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, and the Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal also spoke at this function.(niz)

Jewels Sri Lanka 2012

 “Jewels Sri Lanka 2012”, will be a national event endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Industry & Commerce – which will showcase the beauty and rarity of Sri Lanka’s priceless gems and gem studded intricately designed jewellery.

This event will bring together the local exhibitors – producers & sellers and the international buyers on the same platform thus creating an opportunity for local manufactures to exhibit and sell their products and enhance the global exposure.

A unique feature will be the exposure for SMEs by organizing a separate pavilion for them to display their latest innovations and products to the prospective buyers and use this opportunity as a stepping stone to participate in other overseas exhibitions thus availing themselves of global exposure. SMEs are the engine of growth in a country. The National Gem & Jewellery Authority will be sponsoring this SME sector with exhibition space, food and accommodation.

This national event will also support Sri Lanka Tourism Industry as a preferred destination for business and leisure.

Creating and providing business opportunities is imperative for economic and social growth of a country in this competitive world. Such business opportunities could be afforded through exhibitions & Trade Fairs which will pave way for exposure and opportunities in finding and interacting with an entirely new business community.

Interested Chambers / Associations, companies / organizations and individuals are most welcome to participate at this important event in Sri Lanka. For further details you may please contact this office.

Consul General
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Dubai & Northern Emirates
P O Box 51528
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
 Tel :  +971 4 3989880,  +971 4 3986535
Fax :  +971 4 3984687
e-mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
website : www.slcgdxb.ae

24 Hours Call center at the SLBFE Head Office

As a concept of the Hon. Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and welfare, the SLBFE operates 24 hours call center for the benefit of all Sri Lankans Employed abroad including their family members. This information center facilitates all stake holders regarding their complaints and inquiries which are associated with the industry of foreign employment including their personal grievances.

 Telephone Numbers  0094112879900 /  0094112879901 /   0094112879902

Fax Number                 0094112879903

 E-mail                           This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Skype                            inforcentre_slbfe

Web                               www.slbfe.lk

 This is to inform that the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2012, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will take place at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo from 10th-12th July 2012. The Sri Lanka Economic Summit is the annual benchmark conference, in which the private and the public sector comes together to discuss economic development strategies for Sri Lanka.

This year’s Summit will allow key policy makers of the country to join the top business leaders to interact on the basis of a structured programme, on the lines of “Positioning Sri Lanka In the Global Economy” and provide a wonderful networking experience where you will be challenged to look at current and future issues affecting the different industries.

Upon conclusion of the Summit, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will submit recommendations to the Government on the issues/points that emerge from the deliberations. It will focus on the main issues that hinder development & Growth and identify strategies/actions to overcome these bottlenecks as well as strategies and actions required for sectoral development.

 Registration fee per Delegate is USD.250 which includes the inauguration on 10th evening, full day sessions on 11th & 12th of July. Registered participants will also be granted a concession by Sri Lankan Airline for Dubai/Colombo Sector . The concession will be 10% on Business class and 15% on economy class, on the full fare. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has also appointed a tour operator to provide the best possible accommodation and transport facilities, for registered participants.

The official e-brochure is attached herewith with more details.