Diplomatic traffic at Hambantota District Chamber

The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hilde Haraldstad visited the Hambantota District on 18 November to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Sea Port.

Krishanthi Weerasinghe, Manager Strategy and Projects and the President of HDCC Kumara Jayasinghe welcome Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hilde Haraldstad

The Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE) has been the principal partner of the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) since its inception in 1990, and the Ambassador took the opportunity to visit HDCC during her time in Hambantota. RNE has been involved with the social and economic development of the Hambantota District for nearly 30 years and the people of the district will always remember and value the Kingdom of Norway and its people as true and generous partners in the progress of the Hambantota District.

During her visit the Ambassador took the opportunity to exchange views and obtain background knowledge and information about the HDCC, its activities and the development projects taking place in the Hambantota District. HDCC was represented by the President, the members of the board and also the senior management. A cross section of representatives of member companies also participated.

Meanwhile the first ever consular general office of a foreign mission to the Southern Province of Sri Lanka was opened in Hambantota on 28 November. In preparation for the establishment of an Indian Consular General’s office in Hambantota, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok Kantha visited Hambantota and met officials of the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC).

The High Commissioner was accompanied by K Muraleedharan, Second Secretary and Head of Chancery and the HDCC officials comprised past presidents and senior managers. Discussions were very cordial and fruitful and both parties agreed to work together to build good relationships with local businesses and to investigate joint projects in the fields of industry, agriculture and tourism.

From left  Keerthi Munasinghe, Tilar Nadugala Past Presidents of HDCC, Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha, Krishanthi , Manager Strategy & Projects HDCC

The new Indian Consul General Kulikadavunkel Narayanan Mohankumaran will be in charge of the Hambantota operations and pledged his commitment to be a part of the community in the Hambantota District and to work towards the strengthening of the relationship between India and the people of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

Mohankumaran said, “It is exciting to be the first head of an Indian diplomatic mission in a crucial place like Hambantota. I am looking forward to doing my modest bit to promote bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. Now that we have a Consul General’s Office in this economically throbbing area, we hope more and more people will find it convenient to obtain visas to visit India. We hope to issue many more visas from here!”