New envoys to Sri Lanka assure continued cooperation towards strengthening relations

Friday, 4 July 2014 01:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Two new high commissioners and three new ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The new diplomats assuming duties were High Commissioner of New Zealand Mr. Grahame Morton, High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives Ms. Zahiya Zareer, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Mr. Hassan Mahmoud Mohammad Al-Jawameh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bhutan Ms. Pema Choden and Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina Mr. Sabit Subasic. During the discussion following the ceremony, President Rajapaksa briefed the new diplomats on Sri Lanka’s post-war progress, pointing out that after 30 years of suffering, there is now peace and stability. He encouraged the ambassadors and high commissioners to travel around the country and get a firsthand look at the ground reality. The President also discussed the brutality of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist organization and described how it destroyed everything in the Northern Province, including schools, railways, roads and hospitals, which the Government rebuilt soon after the war ended. Provincial council elections were also held in the Northern Province after 28 years, the President further said. All five diplomats assured continued cooperation with Sri Lanka towards strengthening relations. They spoke about existing friendly relations and their interest in collaborating in various sectors. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga and Acting Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara were present.