(UTV|COLOMBO) – Austin Fernando, President Maithripala Sirisena’s former Secretary, has been appointed Sri Lanka’s next High Commissioner to India, while Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka appointed as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia on Thursday (09) by President.
Addressing the newly-appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners at the Presidential Secretariat, President Sirisena said that the first and foremost duty of an Envoy is to promote Sri Lanka abroad and obtain maximum possible cooperation from the host nations.
He asked the newly-appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners to serve the interests of the country with utmost dedication and commitment while serving abroad representing Sri Lanka.
President Sirisena pointed that the priority areas in this regard are investments, trade, technical cooperation, education, health, increase Sri Lankan exports and technical cooperation.
The President 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.
Following are the new Ambassadors/High Commissioners:
- Mr. Austin Fernando – High Commissioner – Designate – India
- Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka – Ambassador – Designate – Russia
- Prof. (Ms.) Arusha Cooray – Ambassador – Designate – Norway
- Mr. M. M. Jaffeer – Ambassador – Designate – Brazil
- Mr. M. K. K. Girihagama – Ambassador – Designate – Canada
- Mr. C. A. H. M. Wijeratne – Ambassador – Designate – Poland
- Mr. S. S. Ganegama Arachchi – Ambassador – Designate – Sweden
- Ms. S. S. Premawardena – Ambassador – Designate – Vietnam
- Mr. Anuruddha Kumara Mallimarathchi – High Commissioner – Designate – South Africa
- Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid – High Commissioner – Designate – Pakistan
Secretary to the President Udaya R. Seneviratne and Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam also took part in this meeting.
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