Honorary Consul in Belgium; felicitated for 25 years of service to Sri Lanka

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels hosted an event on 22 November to felicitate Monique De Decker-Deprez who completed 25 years of service as Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul in Antwerp, Belgium.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Belgium Grace Asirwatham presented the letter of appreciation issued by Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry to Monique De Decker-Deprez during the event. Ambassador Asirwatham, in her remarks, congratulated the Honorary Consul Monique on her 25 years of dedicated service to Sri Lanka and expressed hope to continue to receive such cooperation in the future as well.

The Honorary Consul Monique has been assisting the Sri Lankan community in Belgium in times of need and steadfastly supporting the efforts of the Embassy in Brussels to promote the interests of Sri Lanka. Monique De Decker-Deprez in her capacity as Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka is currently holding the prestigious position of President of the Consular Union which represents one hundred and twenty Honorary Consuls in Belgium.

The Sri Lankan Government awarded Monique De Decker-Deprez the national title “Sri Lanka Ranjana” in 2005 for her outstanding contribution to promoting bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Belgium.

The felicitation event was attended by a diverse group of invitees, which included Belgium former Prime Minister and first permanent Council President of the EU Herman Van Rompuy, former Foreign Affairs Minister Mark Eiskens, Belgium-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association Chairperson Senator Alessia Claes, Chief of Protocol of the Belgian Foreign Ministry, Province of Antwerp Military Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Rudi Ryckebosch, officials from the business chambers in Antwerp, Honorary Consuls, travel writers and others.