The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Charles III at a ceremonial event held at Buckingham Palace this week (28).

High Commissioner Senadheera, accompanied by his spouse and diplomatic officers, was escorted by Assistant Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Eleanor Mackewn, to the Palace in the traditional horse-drawn carriages of the Royal Mews, in keeping with the distinguished protocol accorded to new Heads of Mission.

During his audience with His Majesty the King, High Commissioner Senadheera conveyed the warmest felicitations of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alongside best wishes for his good health and well-being. The discussion focused on deepening and intensifying the longstanding political, economic and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and the UK, and also with the Commonwealth. 

In the evening, a Vin D’honneur was hosted at Sri Lanka House for Members of the Houses of Parliament, representatives of the UK Government, members of the diplomatic corps and the British Sri Lankan community to celebrate the occasion. 

In his address, High Commissioner Senadheera expressed gratitude for the support extended by the UK government since his assumption of duties and emphasised the aspiration to further strengthen bilateral relations.

High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera is a senior officer in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) with an extensive career spanning several decades, with wide experience in public policy and administration, diplomacy, and education. (Newswire)

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High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, called on the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, recently (10).

Speaker Sir Lindsay extended a warm welcome to the High Commissioner Senadheera, and in a symbolic gesture, the Sri Lankan flag was flown in front of the House of Commons to mark the occasion. 

According to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London, the officials engaged in discussions focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–UK bilateral relations in key areas including trade, investment, tourism, education, and people-to-people ties. 

High Commissioner Senadheera also briefed the Speaker regarding the ongoing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, highlighting the recent visit to Sri Lanka by a cross-party UK parliamentary delegation led by MP Yasmin Qureshi.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to further consolidating the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

The High Commissioner was accompanied by Minister Counsellor Hiruni Rajapakse to the meeting. (Newswire)

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The Parliamentary Committee on High Posts has recommended the appointment of a new Ambassador and High Commissioner.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has recommended the name of Ms. Y.K. Gunasekara as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts has also recommended the name of Mrs. S.S. Dissanayake as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Committee on High Posts, which met under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday, was attended by the Members of the Committee Ministers Bimal Ratnayake, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni, and MP Nihal Abeysinghe. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe received the credentials of two newly appointed High Commissioners and three Ambassadors to Sri Lanka at the President’s House in Colombo on Wednesday (Aug 21).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the High Commissioners representing the Republic of Zambia and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh presented their credentials to the President. 

Additionally, Ambassadors from the Republic of Lithuania, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar also handed over their credentials.

Below is the list of the new High Commissioners and Ambassadors who presented the credentials to President Wickremesinghe:

1. Ms. Diana Mickeviciene
   Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Lithuania based in New Delhi
2. Ms. Trinh Thi Tam
   Ambassador-designate of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Colombo
3. Ms. Marlar Than Htaik
   Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar based in Colombo
4. Mr. Percy Patson Chanda
   High Commissioner-designate of the Republic of Zambia based in New Delhi
5. Mr. Andalib Elias
   High Commissioner-designate of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh based in Colombo

After receiving the credentials, President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a cordial conversation with the newly appointed Ambassadors and the High Commissioners. (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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The newly appointed High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha visited Kandy on Thursday (Jan 18), highlighting the expanse of India -Sri Lanka relations.

According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the High Commissioner sought blessings of the Mahanayaka Theros of Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero and Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayaka Thero respectively. 

High Commissioner Jha underlined that Buddhism was central to the age-old connection between the people of India and Sri Lanka and briefed the Mahanayaka Theros on various initiatives undertaken by the Government of India (GoI) to strengthen bilateral Buddhist ties. He specifically mentioned that measures are being carried out expeditiously to roll out solar electrification of Temples across the country through GoI assistance.

He offered prayers at the sacred Dalada Maligawa for the prosperity and well-being of the people of the two countries and also for a stronger and deeper connection between them.

The Indian High Commission further said, he also prayed for closer bilateral relations through further diversification in both scale and scope at Kataragama Dewalaya.  

High Commissioner Jha visited Hanthana Estate and took stock of the Indian Housing Project. While the Indian Government has already built 50 houses in the Estate under the third phase, more housing units are being constructed in the next phase of the Project. Overall, the Indian Government has committed to 14,000 new houses for plantation workers in the two phases of the project.

The High Commissioner also inaugurated an Ayurveda camp, aimed at the physical well-being of the plantation workers. He also distributed study materials and umbrellas to school-going children in the Estate. He remarked that these are keeping in line with the Indian Government’s firm commitment to the overall upliftment of the plantation workers and the Indian-origin Tamil community in particular.

The Indian High Commission pointed out that a multi-sectoral grant package to the tune of Rs. 3 billion was announced by the Indian Government during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India in July 2023. (NewsWire)

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Senior Indian diplomat Santosh Jha assumed charge as the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka today (Dec 22).

Santosh Jha assumed duties after presenting his credentials to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.

According to the Indian High Commission, Jha was India’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium & Luxembourg before taking up his assignment in Colombo. 

He had earlier served as Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan from 2019-2020, and as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC from 2017-2019.  

He has held key positions in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, including as head of the Division for Human Resources and Management Affairs, the Division for Relations with Western Europe and the European Union, and the Policy Planning Division.

High Commissioner Jha had also served in Colombo from 2007-2010 as Counsellor at the High Commission, handling work related to commercial and economic matters.  During this period, in particular, he was pivotal in building the architecture of India-Sri Lanka development cooperation. (NewsWire)

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Indian Ambassador Santosh Jha arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to take charge of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.

According to the High Commission, Ambassador Santosh Jha is expected to assume duties as the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka today (Dec 21). 

Santosh Jha will assume duties after presenting his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. (NewsWire)

Start of a new innings! Amb @santjha arrived in Colombo today and took charge at @IndiainSL. After presentation of credentials, he will assume his new responsibilities as High Commissioner of #India to #SriLanka. pic.twitter.com/5djzQ5HZ9Q

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) December 20, 2023

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Andrew Patrick has been appointed as High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Sri Lanka.

According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, Andrew Patrick presented his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today.

The appointment has been made by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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Three newly appointed High Commissioners and seven Ambassadors presented their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a ceremony held at the President’s House in Kandy today (30).

The newly appointed High Commissioners represent the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Seychelles. 

Meanwhile, the Ambassadors have been appointed to represent the Republic of Panama, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Hellenic Republic, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Peru, the Republic of Korea, and Hungary.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the complete list of the newly appointed High Commissioners and Ambassadors is as follows:

1. Dr. Roger Gopaul
2. High Commissioner-designate of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago based in New Delhi
3. Mr. Eligio Alberto Salas De Leon
   Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Panama based in Ha Noi
4. Mr. Didier Vanderhasselt
   Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Belgium based in New Delhi
5. Prof. (Ms.) Joyce K. Kikafunda
   High Commissioner-designate of the Republic of Uganda based in New Delhi
6. Mr. Dimitrios Ioannou
   Ambassador-designate of the Hellenic Republic based in New Delhi
7. Dr. Bassam Al-Khatib
   Ambassador-designate of the Syrian Arab Republic based in New Delhi
8. Mr. Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde
   Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Peru based in New Delhi
9. Ms. Lee Miyon
   Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Korea based in Colombo
10. Mr. István Szabó
    Ambassador-designate of Hungary based in New Delhi
11. .Mrs. Lalatiana Accouche -High Commissioner-designate of the Republic of Seychelles based in New Delhi (NewsWire)

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