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5 High Commissioners, 9 Ambassadors present credentials to the President (Pics)

Published

3 weeks ago

June 5, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe received the credentials of five newly appointed High Commissioners and nine Ambassadors to Sri Lanka at the Colombo Fort President’s House this morning (June 05).

The High Commissioners representing New Zealand, the Republic of Cyprus, the Maldives, the Republic of Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Mauritius were present. Additionally, Ambassadors from the Republic of Guatemala, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Republic of Estonia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Turkey, Ireland, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), and the Republic of Bulgaria also handed over their credentials.

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

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

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

6. Mr. David Gregory Pine – High Commissioner of the New Zealand based in Colombo

7. Mr. Semih Lütfü Turgut – Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye based in Colombo

8. Mr. Evagoras Vryonides – High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus based in New Delhi

9. Mr. Kevin Kelly – Ambassador of Ireland based in New Delhi

10. Mr. Masood Imad – High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives based in Colombo

11. Ms. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou – Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic based in New Delhi

12. Mr. Abu Bakarr Karim – High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone based in Beijing

13. Dr. Nikolay Yankov – Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria based in New Delhi

14. Mr. Haymandoyal Dillum – High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius based in New Delhi

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

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

(President’s Media Division)

Photo Story

India gifts spare parts worth US$ 1.2 mn. to SL Coast Guard Ship

Published

2 days ago

June 25, 2024

editor

Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, arrived in Colombo on June 19, 2024 for two-day visit.

The ship brought essential spare parts worth USD 1.2 million on gratis for Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.

On arrival, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Coast Guard Ship, Deputy Inspector General R Rajesh Nambiraj, TM called on the Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral TSK Perera and the Director General, Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vilthana.

The Indian Coast Guard Ship, in a ceremony, formally handed over the spare parts to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.

The ceremony was graced by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka – Santosh Jha, Secretary of Defence of Sri Lanka Gen Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral TSK Perera, Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana as well as senior officers from Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Navy. The ship departed on 21 June 2024.

SLCGS Suraksha is an Offshore Patrol Vessel donated to Sri Lanka by Government of India in October 2017.

India has donated spare parts for the ship earlier in June 2021 and April 2022 and also provided assistance in refilling of Halon cylinders in January 2024. Handing over of the large consignment of spares symbolizes India’s commitment to support capability building towards addressing the shared challenges of Maritime Security in the region.

Photo Story

Kusal’s ‘Humanist Without Borders’ launched (Pics)

Published

5 days ago

June 22, 2024

editor

‘Humanist Without Borders’, a book that celebrates fifty years of Mr. Anton Marcus as a Trade Unionist, was held in Colombo recently.

Mr. Marcus is currently the Joint Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and Public Employees’ Union (FTZ&GSEU).

The book, together with its Sinhala version – ‘Seema Mayim Nethi Maanawawaadiya’, were penned by political columnist and analyst – Kusal Perera.

A distinguished gathering including TU activists, FTZ&GSEU members and politicians were present at the launch.

Emeritus Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda and the former president and general secretary of New Zealand’s ‘First Union’, Mr. Robert Reed, delivered guest lectures.