High Commissioner Kumar Mallimaratchi presents Letters of Credence to President of South Africa

The New High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to South Africa Kumar Mallimaratchi presented his Letter of Credence to South Africa President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at a ceremony held at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Bryntirion Estate in Pretoria with seven other envoys on 11 December.

The High Commi-ssioner conveyed warm greetings from President Maithripala Sirisena to the President and the people of South Africa. The High Commissioner further mentioned that South Africa and Sri Lanka will be celebrating 25 years of Diplomatic Relations in September 2019 and that he is happy to represent Sri Lanka in South Africa to ensure further development of bilateral and economic relations. 

President Ramaphosa welcomed all the new envoys who presented credentials as Heads of Mission to the Republic of South Africa. The President stated that as 2018 is the centenary year of the founding President of the democratic nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, they remain inspired and guided by his vision of a better world, that is more inclusive, more democratic and more humane, built on social justice and the enjoyment of fundamental human rights by all. President Ramaphosa further emphasised the responsibility of new envoys to advance and protect the national interests of the respective countries, and invited to work together to discharge such responsibility to create a world that is conducive to sustainable development and shared prosperity. He thanked all the envoys for the role they have played and will continue to play in strengthening the relations between South Africa and their respective countries.