Mr. Erik Solheim's meeting with Foreign Secretary of India

The Norwegian Minister for International Development and chief facilitator for the Sri Lankan Peace Process, Mr. Erik Solheim, met Foreign Secretary Mr. Shyam Saran on January 27, 2006 to brief him on his just concluded visit to Sri Lanka.

The Government of India welcomes the decision by the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to hold talks in Geneva in February, 2006. The resumption of talks augurs well for the prospects of peace in Sri Lanka.

The Government of India reiterates its long-standing view in favour of a negotiated political settlement that meets the just aspirations of all communities and which respects the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

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Indian Handicrafts Exhibition in Colombo

An Indian handicrafts exhibition is being organized in Colombo by the High Commission of India and Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Government of Sri Lanka from January 25th to 29th, 2006. The Exhibition will be jointly inaugurated by Honourable Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage of Sri Lanka and Her Excellency, Mrs Nirupama Rao, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka at 11.30 AM at the Banquet Hall of BMICH on the 25th of January 2006. This event is part of the celebrations being organized by the High Commission of India, Colombo to commemorate the 57th Republic Day of India.

The Exhibition will showcase the skills of Indian craftspersons and the wealth of Handicrafts from different states of India. Selected crafts of Jammu and Kashmir, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and other States of India will be on sale. Traditional clothing for men and women, including a collection of exquisite embroidered sarees will also be on sale. A highlight of this exhibition will be the live demonstrations by Indian craftpersons of leather embroidery from Bhuj, Gujarat, the famous chikan embroidery from Uttar Pradesh, wood carving from Rajasthan, papier mache from Jammu and Kashmir and cane and bamboo work from Assam. Large consignments of handicrafts will be available for sale. The exhibition has been sponsored by the office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts in India. Admission is open to all free of charge.

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Consular services for Non-Resident Indian nationals

The High Commission of India maintains particulars of Non-Resident Indian Nationals (Norris) living in Sri Lanka and updates this information periodically. This not only provides consular services to them but also keeps them posted about developments in India and promotes social, cultural and economic ties with Sri Lankan nationals.

The High Commission requests Non-Resident Indian nationals especially those who have not registered their particulars with the Consular Wing of the Mission to furnish details.

Information is needed about their families, including children, residing in Sri Lanka, place of work, company's name, official/residential address in Sri Lanka, e-mail address, telephone numbers including emergency contact numbers, postal address in India with telephone numbers, passport details, along with passport size photographs.

A number of Indian nationals are also employed as skilled labour in the country and that information is also required.

NRIs who had registered their particulars with the High Commission in the recent past are requested to provide updated information about themselves at the High Commission which can be forwarded to the Consular Wing by post.

The Consular Assistant of the Mission is available on 2421605, 2422788, 2422789 and Ext. 605 (Consular Wing), Second Secretary 2327243 and Counsellor 2320054 may be contacted for clarification.

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Indian Textile show at BMICH on January 11& 12, 2006

The Synthetic and Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) and the High Commission of India, Colombo are jointly organizing the 4th 'Indian Textile Show' in Colombo at Hall 2 of the BMICH on January 11 & 12, 2006. The SRTEPC has already had three successful trade shows of this kind in Sri Lanka.

The specialized exposition will highlight India's capabilities, and showcase products, in the field of synthetic textiles, fibre, yarn and made-ups. The Show will bring together Indian enterprises producing man made fibres and will further strengthen the flourishing business relationships between the two countries.

Given the current scenario in the world apparel industry and the end of the MFA quotas, the Government of India has offered special concessions to Sri Lanka for export of 6 million pieces at zero duty under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement provided the fabric used is sourced from India. This will help the Sri Lankan apparel industry and give considerable boost to export of Indian man made fibres to well beyond the existing US$ 50 Million for 2004-05.

Leading Indian textile manufacturers will be participating in the exhibition which highlights the importance that the Indian Industry attaches to export of textiles to Sri Lanka

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