Former CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya assumes duties as SL’s Permanent Representative to UN

Colombo, June 6 (Daily Mirror) - Ambassador Jayantha Jayasuriya officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by presenting his Letters of Credence to UN Secretary-General António Guterres at a formal ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Jayasuriya conveyed warm greetings from the President of Sri Lanka to Secretary-General Guterres and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and its agencies. Secretary-General Guterres, in turn, welcomed Ambassador Jayasuriya to New York and to the UN, commending Sri Lanka’s steadfast dedication to multilateralism. He also extended his warm regards to the President of Sri Lanka.

Following the credential presentation, the Secretary-General and Ambassador Jayasuriya engaged in a bilateral discussion. Recalling his early visit to Sri Lanka as a young parliamentarian with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Secretary-General Guterres spoke fondly of his long-standing connection with the country. He encouraged Sri Lanka to maintain an active presence within the UN, highlighting the vital role played by smaller and developing nations in elevating key global issues.

Ambassador Jayasuriya expressed appreciation for the UN’s ongoing work in Sri Lanka, particularly in supporting the government’s development agenda. He emphasized that 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s membership in the United Nations, coinciding with the organization’s 80th anniversary. He pledged his continued support for the UN and its mission.

A distinguished legal professional, Ambassador Jayasuriya previously served as the 47th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. 

He began his legal career in 1982 and held various positions in the Attorney General’s Department, including that of Attorney General in 2016. Appointed as President’s Counsel in 2012, he also served as a Trial Attorney at the UN International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (UN-ICTY) and Rwanda (UN-ICTR). He is also a Commonwealth Scholar.