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5 High Commissioners, 9 Ambassadors present credentials to the President (Pics)
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)
News
SLIMFA Media Fest inaugurated (Pics)
Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and Minister of Mass Media and Health – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, jointly inaugurated the first-ever Media Fest organized by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) today at Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Under the theme ‘Navigating the New Media Landscape Together,’ the two-day Media Fest from 25-26 April 2025 will explore contemporary media trends and innovations. Key focus areas include AI in journalism, mobile journalism, media monetisation, data journalism, disinformation and fact-checking, content creation and audio journalism. As the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka, it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
The event provides a unique platform for professional development and for fostering collaboration between media professionals from India and Sri Lanka. Experts from India including Ms. Palki Sharma, Managing Editor at Firstpost; Mr. Siddhant Sibal, Assistant Foreign Affairs Editor at WION;Mr. Shailesh Shekhar, Chief Synergy Officer at India Todayand Mr. L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research in collaboration with experts from Sri Lanka will exchange and discuss best practices with the registered participants from the media and business community locally.
SLIMFA, inaugurated in May 2024, under the patronage of the High Commission of India, Colombo is aimed at strengthening media ties between the two countries. Since its inception, the Association has conducted multiple initiatives, including panel discussions and roundtables, focusing on key media-related topics. It is a significant initiative to further bolster the people-to-people connection between the two civilisational twins.
News
President makes sudden visit to Kandy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake last night (April 24) conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city to inspect the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address issues related to the provision of facilities and sanitation for devotees visiting the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa”.
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
(President’s Media Division)
News
President offers condolences at Vatican Embassy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid a visit to the Vatican Embassy this afternoon (24) to extend his condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Upon his arrival, the President was warmly received by Most Reverend Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Sri Lanka.
Following a brief discussion with Archbishop Udaigwe, President Disanayake signed the book of condolence, conveying, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, heartfelt sympathies to the global Christian community on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis.
(President’s Media Division)
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