President asks new envoys to serve interests of country with utmost dedication

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday appointed new envoys to 10 different countries, including Russia.

Asking the newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners to serve the interests of the country with utmost dedication and commitment while serving abroad and representing Sri Lanka,he said the first and foremost duty of the envoys is to promote Sri Lanka abroad and obtain the maximum possible cooperation from the host nations.Addressing 10 ambassadors and high commissioners at the Presidential secretariat,the President said the priority areas in this regard are investments, trade, technical cooperation, education, health, increasing Sri Lankan exports, and technical cooperation. President Sirisena 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.

Prof. Arusha Cooray - Ambassador-Designate, Norway

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka - Ambassador-Designate, Russia

M.M. Jaffeer - Ambassador-Designate, Brazil

M.K.K. Girihagama - Ambassador-Designate, Canada

C.A.H.M. Wijeratne - Ambassador-Designate, Poland

S.S.Ganegama Arachchi    - Ambassador-Designate, Sweden

S.S. Premawardena - Ambassador-Designate, Vietnam

Anuruddha Kumara Mallimarathchi - High Commissioner-Designate, South Africa

Austin Fernando - High Commissioner-Designate, India

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.