Colombo (LNW): Premier Dinesh Gunawardena addressing a meeting at Temple Trees yesterday (13) urged the ten newly appointed Sri Lankan envoys to prioritise economic diplomacy as a key element in the country’s path to rapid economic progress.
Emphasising the need for cooperation with other nations, the Prime Minister encouraged envoys to showcase Sri Lanka’s global interaction capabilities and take innovative measures to attract investments and foster joint ventures.
The Prime Minister outlined a strategic focus on increasing trade and investments, urging envoys to promote Sri Lanka as not only a tourist destination but also a favorable hub for investment and trade.
Gunawardena highlighted the potential for rapid economic growth by closely engaging with other nations, particularly in response to the shift in the world economy towards Asia, including the economic rise of China, India, and ASEAN.
In addition to engaging host governments and business entities, the Prime Minister advised the envoys to build networks with Sri Lankan expatriate organisations in host countries and cultivate ties with important friends of Sri Lanka.
He specifically emphasised the importance of strengthening connections with the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Latin American countries through accredited ambassadors.
The ten newly appointed Heads of Mission include Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Pakistan), Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana (Nepal), former Foreign Secretary Kshenuka Senewiratne (India), Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne (Cuba), Satyajit Rodrigo (Italy), Madurika Weninger (Egypt), Dharamapala Weerakkody (Bangladesh), Senerath Dissanayake (Singapore), and Chandana Weerasena (Belgium and the European Union). The new High Commissioner to the UK, Rohitha Bogollagama, was unable to attend due to a prior engagement. MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Anura Dissanayake, Advisor Sugeeswara Senadhira, Additional Secretary of Foreign Ministry Mohammad Jauhar, and Director General Wijayanthi Edirisinghe were also present at the meeting.
