Brussels, 28 January, (Asiantribune.com): At the outset, I wish to thank Geoffrey and the ‘Friends of Sri Lanka’ for this timely initiative of convening this ‘Sri Lanka Briefing’, and for all those who have taken time out on a busy afternoon to be present here today said Ravinatha Aryasinha, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU.

When Bush (Snr,) obtained Congressional approval to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991, a leading US media tried to test the general knowledge of the ordinary Americans on the street.

Bring the 800 odd Tamil detainees under rehabilitation schemes. While relieving the detainees from the fear they face today, it would also be a goodwill sign to the Tamil people at this hour of national reconciliation. Democratic People’s Front leader Mano Ganesan made this appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In a Letter to the Editor, Dr Michael Milanovic, Chief Executive, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations writes that President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Ten Year National Plan for a Trilingual Sri Lanka (Asian Tribune, 22 January) is an encouraging initiative.

External Affairs Minister, Prof. G.L Peiris held bilateral discussions with his Indonesian counterpart, Dr. Marty Natalegawa today prior to chairing the first meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.

A Pakistani trade delegation of Fruit and vegetable producers and exporters is visiting Sri Lanka to explore the ways and means to enhance bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

As a person who had worked at the European Union in Brussels, came as a shock to hear that the Foreign Affairs Council of the E U had adopted conclusions in favour of the current situation in Burma and is suspending the visa ban to prepare the ground for a further significant relaxation of sanctions when they are due for renewal in April.

Sri Lanka’s January to November exports in 2011 recorded US $ 9,581.4 Mn, surging from $ 7841 Mn in the corresponding period of 2010. “As the Minister of Industry and Commerce, I am pleased to note that the exports performance has increased by 22.2% on a year on year basis. What is also very encouraging to note is that our exports surge is driven by industrial sector” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa celebrated Thai Pongal the traditional harvest festival generally celebrated by Hindus all over the world.

The two children of an NRI couple who were taken away by the Norwegian Childcare Services on grounds of "emotional disconnect" will be handed over to their uncle following finalisation of an agreement between India and Norway on Wednesday.