Sri Lanka Mobile Embassy Service Successfully Held in Zurich, Switzerland

A mobile consular service organized by the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Zurich was successfully conducted on May 09 and 10, 2026, in collaboration with local Sri Lankan associations and community groups.

The initiative was coordinated by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva to improve accessibility for Sri Lankans living in Switzerland. The service was designed to allow citizens to access essential embassy services without traveling long distances, ensuring greater convenience for the diaspora community.

The event was inaugurated by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake. He stated that, under the guidance of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, similar mobile consular services will be expanded across Switzerland in the future, including cities such as Bern, Aargau, and Solothurn. The Zurich program marks the beginning of this broader initiative.

During the two-day service, the diplomatic team provided several important consular services. These included accepting passport applications, issuing birth registrations, providing e-BMD certified birth, marriage, and death certificates, processing dual citizenship applications, and certifying civil status documents and affidavits.

Alongside the consular work, the Ambassador also held discussions with key Sri Lankan community organizations in Switzerland, including the Swiss Sri Lanka Association and the Dharma Union (Hindu-Buddhist organization). These discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and improving services for the Sri Lankan community.

He also visited the Sri Bodhirajaramaya Buddhist Temple in Lenzburg and the Sri Sivasubramaniar Temple in Adliswil, where he engaged with community members and religious leaders to understand their concerns and needs.

This mobile embassy service is considered an important step toward improving diplomatic accessibility and delivering efficient public services to Sri Lankans living abroad.

Geneva Police Launch Real-Time Sign Language Service for Deaf Community

Geneva has become the first city in Switzerland to introduce a real-time sign language interpretation system within its municipal police service, improving accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.

Starting Monday, people who visit police counters or interact with officers will be able to connect instantly with a professional sign language interpreter via video call. The system is activated through a QR code, allowing staff to quickly initiate communication through a smartphone or device in the field.

The initiative is supported by the PROCOM Foundation, which provides remote interpretation services. This innovation ensures that communication barriers are reduced during police interactions, emergency support, and administrative procedures.

City officials emphasized that the goal is to guarantee equal access to public services for all residents. Marie Barbey-Chappuis described the project as an important step toward inclusivity, while Christine Camp highlighted its significance for improving public service communication.

Authorities estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 people in Switzerland are deaf, while nearly one million live with some form of hearing impairment. The new system also aligns with upcoming revisions to Switzerland’s federal disability equality laws.

Geneva’s approach is being closely watched as a potential model for other Swiss cities aiming to improve accessibility in public services through digital innovation.