News

Norway’s decision to terminate the agreement with FCE was done in accordance with the termination clauses in the agreement relating to non-fulfillment of the recipient’s obligations. We have just received a translation of the court order which we are now carefully studying. Norway’s position has always been that we do expect Sri Lanka to comply with well-established international rules on... Read more

The Norwegian government strongly denies any financial, moral or ideological support to Bodu Bala Sena. Under no circumstances will Norway support organizations that seem to work against religious kinship and peaceful coexistence, neither in Sri Lanka nor in any other country. On the contrary, we are deeply concerned about the anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions which we witness today in Sri Lanka... Read more

Due to an internal seminar, the embassy will be closed until 14:30 on Tuesday April 9th. Read more

HR Council - Sri Lanka. Norwegian statement March 2013,----------Norway welcomes the presentation of the Report of the OHCHR on advice and technical assistance for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. Read more

Det er for tiden politisk turbulent på Maldivene, med omfattende demonstrasjoner og betydelig uro i hovedstaden Male’. Utlendinger er ikke mål for urolighetene, men norske borgere bes likevel utvise aktsomhet og unngå folkeansamlinger. Følg også lokale nyhetssendinger. Det er ikke rapportert om tilsvarende uro på flyplassøya eller på noen av turistøyene. Read more

The first days in March, Jaffna will be filled by thousands of people who come to experience two days filled with music, dance and culture for all. For the fourth time, Norway supports this festival which brings together musicians from all parts of Sri Lanka as well as international artists for a unique event of traditional expressions, classical music, contemporary and folk. Read more

Ambassador Grete Løchen recently made her first visit to the northern districts of Sri Lanka. Norway has contributed more than US $ 45 million since the end of the war in 2009 to rebuild the conflict affected Northern Districts. The aim of the visit was to meet the different stake holders who play important roles in the rebuilding process of the north. Read more

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide commented, “I am shocked by the execution in Saudi Arabia of Sri Lankan Rizana Nafeek. Norway condemns her execution, which is also a violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as she was a minor at the time of the crime for which she was charged.” Read more

The Norwegian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Grete Løchen, paid homage to the most sacred Temple of Tooth Relic during her first official visit to Kandy. Read more

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg commented, “After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the EU continued to safeguard peace by enlarging the union to include the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. These are projects of historical significance that have helped to secure peace and stability in Europe.” Read more

On 28 November, the Norwegian Ambassador Grete Løchen signed an agreement with Women and Media Collective aimed at improving women’s participation in politics. Through this project, Women and Media collective will work with 20 trade unions to enhance leadership skills of trade union women. The objective is to enable women to access leadership and decision-making processes in trade unions and to... Read more

Gender equality is not only a matter of creating equal opportunities for women and men. It is crucial in order to ensuring sustainable economic growth and development for any society Read more

Ambassador Grete Løchen recently visited small scale business enterprise projects supported by the Norwegian Embassy through the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Sri Lanka. The aim of the programme is to increase access to information and communications technology and mobile telephony in emerging and post conflict regions of Sri Lanka. Read more

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The Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 goes to the European Union (EU). Read more

The Norwegian Embassy and the UN has signed an agreement to more effectively incorporate gender issues into the UN’s development initiatives in Sri Lanka. Norway strongly believes in the empowerment of women as one of the most important factors for sustainable development.  “By strengthening the UN’s capacity to address gender issues, we are pleased to contribute to the implementation of Sri. Read more

The Norwegian Embassy is aware of news reports referring to families in Norway of Tamil origin who have had their children taken into care by the child welfare services. In Norway the welfare, safety and the rights of the child are taken very seriously. In cases where children are either mistreated or have not been given satisfactory care, the local authorities are obliged by law to implement... Read more

Music lovers in Sri Lanka are in for a night of musical indulgence with a concert on Friday 5th October by Norway’s veteran ‘The 3 Trumpets’ featuring Petter Dillevig, Trond Olav Ruistuen and Arne Kollandsrud. The trio will perform in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s very own premier performers Naveen Fernando, Kalum Nishyantha, Saman Kularathne, Nishantha Premalal and Thilak Thantrige of the... Read more

Tuesday 25 September, Norwegian Ambassador Grete Løchen participated in a ceremony in Anuradhapura, with the Hon. Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, Mr. Tissa Karalliyadde and UNFPA representative Lene K. Christiansen, handing over scooters to women development officers. By using scooters, the women development officers from 12 districts will be able to carry out their field wor... Read more

Ms Grete Lochen presented her credentials as Norway’s new Ambassador to Sri Lanka today. "I look forward to further enhancing the long standing relationship between Norway and Sri Lanka", says Ms Lochen. Read more