Märkische Oderzeitung, 10.05.2012

Hoher und ungewöhnlicher Besuch weilte gestern Nachmittag im Landratsamt. Die Volleyball-Nationalmannschaft Sri Lankas war zu Gast bei Landrat Gernot Schmidt. Dieser berichtete seinen Gästen von den Besonderheiten und dem kommunalen Aufbau der Region und erhielt im Gegenzug eine Anstecknadel mit einem goldenen Löwen, dem Wappentier des Inselstaats aus dem Indischen Ozean.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka regrets that, once again, Channel 4 chose not to share the video footage or any of the other material upon which it purports to have relied, prior to broadcast. This denied the High Commission of Sri Lanka and the Government of Sri Lanka the rightful opportunity to address any concerns raised.This appears to be a continuation of the approach adopted by Channel 4 in its broadcast last year. That broadcast was severely criticised by many including the Sunday Times UK,

A U.S. federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa noting that President Rajapaksa is immune from lawsuits as a sitting Head of State.The court noted that head of state immunity is a well-established legal principal in the United States. The U.S. State Department had entered a motion asking that the case be dismissed because of the immunity precedent.

A festival, to commemorate37th anniversary of National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and pay tribute to its employees, was held at\r\nthe Foundation Institute Colombo. The key note address was delivered by the Hon. Prime Minister at this festival.\r\n\r\nHon. Minister of National Water Supply and Drainage and the Deputy Minister were among the huge crowed gathered on this occasion.

A wide range of experiences with regard to challenges in respect of nation building, shared by Sri Lanka and South Africa, serves as a strong foundation for informed dialogue on these issues. The insights deriving from this common experience make close collaboration between the two countries all the more valuable, Professor G.L.Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, said in Pretoria, South Africa, on Monday.