President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with several foreign diplomats, is expected to participate in the inaugural event of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which will commence today after 16 years.

Diplomats from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea are among those taking part. 

According to the President’s Office, the group travelled to Kandy this morning in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from Colombo-Fort Railway Station at around 7:00 a.m.

This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka.

Upon arrival in Kandy, the delegation first visited the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, where a special Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was organised in accordance with local customs to welcome them.

Additional diplomats are expected to join the group in Kandy, bringing the total number of participants to 44. Together, they will proceed to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to take part in the inauguration ceremony of the “Siri Dalada Vandanawa.” Afterwards, the group will return to Colombo by train.

At the request of the President, the Siri  Dalada Vandanawa will be held under the guidance of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, and under the direction of the Diyawadana Nilame of the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. The event will continue for 10 days, from today until 27 April.

Today (18 Apr), on the opening day, the public will have the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. From tomorrow (19 Apr) onwards, veneration will be open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Newswire)

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MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that a new circular issued by the Secretary to the President states that no minister, ministry secretary, or secretary to governors can hold meetings with foreign envoys without prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“As ministers, we used to meet foreign envoys, communicate our requirements, and secure assistance. This practice has now been completely stopped,” Jayasekara said.

He acknowledged some positive aspects of the circular, such as guidelines for how Sri Lankan missions abroad should engage with MPs and ministers on personal visits. However, Jayasekera expressed concern over the broader restrictions.

Drawing from his experience as Chief Minister, Jayasekara said that he had in the past facilitated funding for local government projects under sister cities initiatives with other countries. “Even such efforts have been stopped. This has become like North Korea now. An ambassador cannot meet a minister without the approval of the foreign ministry,” he said.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake countered this claim, noting that he had just met the Australian High Commissioner at the Parliamentary premises, suggesting that no such limitation is in place.

Jayasekara responded saying that the circular was issued today and that Rathnayake would soon be informed. He warned that such limitations could create issues for both the government and its ministers. (Newswire)

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Fourteen newly appointed foreign diplomats presented their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House in Colombo today (June 05).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the group included five newly appointed High Commissioners and nine Ambassadors to Sri Lanka.

A brief ceremony was organized at the Presidential Palace to officially welcome the new High Commissioners and Ambassadors.

Below is the list of the newly appointed foreign diplomats to Sri Lanka;

• Ambassadors- 

1. Mr. Omar Castañeda Solares – Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala based in New Delhi.
2. Mr. Ali Achoui – Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in New Delhi.
3. Ms. Marje Luup – Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia in New Delhi.
4. Mr. Bounmy Vanmany – Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic based in New Delhi.
5. Mr. Victor Hugo Echeverri – Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia based in New Delhi.

• High Commissioners- 

1. Mr. David Gregory Pine – High Commissioner of the New Zealand based in Colombo.
2. Mr. Semih Lütfü Turgut – Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye based in Colombo.
3. Mr. Evagoras Vryonides – High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus based in New Delhi.
4. Mr. Kevin Kelly – Ambassador of Ireland based in New Delhi.
5. Mr. Masood Imad – High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives based in Colombo.
6. Ms. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou – Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic based in New Delhi.
7. Mr. Abu Bakarr Karim – High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone based in Beijing.
8. Dr. Nikolay Yankov – Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria based in New Delhi.
9. Mr. Haymandoyal Dillum – High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius based in New Delhi.

Following the acceptance of credentials, President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in friendly discussions with the new High Commissioners and Ambassadors. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabri along with President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake were also present at the occasion.

Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardena, and other officials also attended the event. (Newswire)

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