Sri Lanka, Israel expect to deepen existing bilateral relations

• New Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel presents credentials

The new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to Israel, Periyasamy Pillai Selvaraj presented his credentials to President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin on 2 November. The ceremonial event was held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem where the Ambassador was accompanied by M.R.C.B. Ekanayake, First Secretary and Hemachandra Gamage, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tel Aviv, Israel. 

The Ambassador, escorted by a motorcade, was welcomed upon his arrival at the President’s Residence with a Guard of Honour and the playing of the National Anthems of both countries.

Following the official ceremony, Ambassador Selvaraj presented credentials to President Reuven Rivlin. After the presentation of credentials, the President warmly welcomed Ambassador Selvaraj and wished him every success in his new assignment as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel. Ambassador Selvaraj, in his remarks, conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, which was warmly reciprocated. President Rivlin said the existing bilateral relations between Israel and Sri Lanka are excellent and expressed the confidence that the relations would be further deepened and strengthened during the tenure of the Ambassador.

Ambassador Selvaraj expressed Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation to Israel for providing employment opportunities for Sri Lankan caregivers and agricultural workers in Israel. The Ambassador further said that Sri Lanka would like to enhance the existing close and friendly relations with Israel, and especially in the fields of tourism, agriculture, economy, investment and industry. During the discussion with the President, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President’s Office were present.

Ambassador Selvaraj joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1994 and has served in Sri Lanka Missions in Moscow, Geneva, Washington DC and Canberra. He is a graduate of the University of Jaffna and obtained Postgraduate Diplomas from the University of Colombo and the National Institute of Education in Maharagama. He is a past student of St. Josephs College, Maskeliya and Highlands College, Hatton.