Envoys should obtain maximum cooperation from host nations: Prez

10 August 2018 11:06 am

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said the first and foremost duty of the newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners is to promote Sri Lanka abroad and obtain maximum possible cooperation from the host nations.

He pointed out that the priority areas in this regard are investments, trade, technical cooperation, education, health, increasing Sri Lankan exports and technical cooperation.

Addressing 10 ambassadors and high commissioners at the Presidential Secretariat, he said the new envoys should serve the interests of the country with utmost dedication and commitment while serving abroad representing Sri Lanka.

President Sirisena said that the envoys representing Sri Lanka abroad should firmly commit themselves to the policies and the vision of the government and promote Sri Lanka keeping that in mind.

He pointed out the imperative need to showcase the correct positive picture of Sri Lanka and take corrective steps when interested parties spread falsehoods and disinformation through social media and other mediums.

The new Ambassadors and High Commissioners are:

01	Prof. (Ms) Arusha Cooray	Ambassador-Designate	Norway
02	Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka	Ambassador-Designate	Russia
03	Mr.M.M.Jaffeer	Ambassador-Designate	Brazil
04	Mr.M.K.K.Girihagama	Ambassador-Designate	Canada
05	Mr.C.A.H.M. Wijeratne	Ambassador-Designate	Poland
06	Mr.S.S.Ganegama Arachchi	Ambassador-Designate	Sweden
07	Ms.S.S. Premawardena	Ambassador-Designate	Vietnam
08	Mr.Anuruddha Kumara Mallimarathchi	High Commissioner Designate	South Africa
09	Mr.Austin Fernando	High Commissioner-Designate	India
10	Mr.Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid	High Commissioner-Designate	Pakistan