SLBBC bids farewell to Netherlands Ambassador

The Sri Lanka-Benelux Business Council (SLBBC) organised a farewell luncheon for Leoni Cuelenaere, Ambassador for the Kingdom of Netherlands in Sri Lanka, on 26 May at the Colombo Club.

Cuelenaere will be completing her tenure of service at the end of May 2011.  Sega Nagendra, President of the Sri Lanka-Benelux Business Council, addressing the gathering stated that since the day she assumed duties in August 2008 as the Ambassador for Netherlands, she had been a great supporter and a dear friend to the Sri Lanka-Benelux Business Council.

“The council is very grateful for the splendid cooperation extended in furthering its objectives and also for her willing participation in many of the events, especially for the mission organised to the Benelux countries in May 2010,” he said.

He also highlighted the dedicated effort the Ambassador has put up to enhance the economic, cultural and political ties between the two countries. In Galle, the Conservation of the Old Dutch warehouse and rehabilitation of the maritime museum, conservation of the ancient ramparts of the Fort; construction of the museum cum visitor’s centre in Kataragama, are few of the projects which were completed during her tenure with the assistance of Dutch Government.

Also with the assistance of the Netherlands Government, the projects undertaken with the Southern Cultural Triangle Concept – the restoration and conservation work of the ancient Dutch Naval Commissioner’s House in Trincomalee has been completed and it will be ceremonially opened to the public shortly. The Jaffna Fort that is also being conserved with the assistance of the Netherlands Government is another project initiated by the Cuelenaere.

Nagendra on behalf of the Executive Committee and members of SLBBC wished her all success in her future endeavours.

The Sri Lanka-Benelux Council presented a token to Cuelenaere in appreciation and recognition of her unstinted support to the council. Key officials from Netherlands Embassy and members of Sri Lanka-Benelux Business Council were present at the event.