The High Commissioner–designate of Sri Lanka to Maldives, A.M.J. Sadiq presented his Letter of Credence and the Letter of Recall of his predecessor to the President of the Republic of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President’s Office in Male´ on 01February 2022.

After conveying the warm greetings of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to President Solih, the Sri Lankan envoy expressed his keen desire to strengthen and diversify the existing close and cordial bilateral relations into a vibrant and multifaceted partnership for the mutual benefit of the people of Sri Lanka and Maldives, during his tenure. The High Commissioner highlighted the importance of enhancing economic cooperation, in particular, covering the fields of education, health, as well as bilateral trade and investment. President Solih warmly reciprocated these sentiments and wished the High Commissioner, a successful tenure in Maldives. President Solih went on to extend greetings to the government and the people of Sri Lanka,on the occasion of the 74^th Independence Day, which falls on 4 February.  He also recalled fond memories of his successful visit to Sri Lanka in November 2021, where he held discussions with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on further enhancing relations between the two countries.

Following the presentation of credentials, High Commissioner Sadiq paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid.  The Foreign Minster congratulated the new High Commissioner and wished him a successful tenure in Maldives.  He thanked the government of Sri Lanka for its support for his election as the President of the 76^th session of the United Nations General Assembly.  Echoing the sentiments of President Solih, the Foreign Minister stated that Sri Lanka and Maldives, as members of a family can work closely together to advance the existing warm and friendly relations to newer heights.

Later on the same day, High Commissioner Sadiq called on the Foreign Secretary of Maldives, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and discussed ways and means to enhance bilateral relations, focused on economic cooperation, particularly in areas of public and private partnership, involving the governments and private companies of Sri Lanka and Maldives.  They also agreed to expedite the finalisation of the Agreements/MoUs on the Avoidance of Double Taxation, Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments and Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on Customs Matters between Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The High Commissioner Sadiq is the most senior officer in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service and possesses over 35 years of public and private sector experience at executive level, initially as a bank executive in the private sector for 2 ½ years, followed by over 33 years in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service with multi-disciplinary experience, gained across Europe, South America, Middle East and South Asia.

High Commissioner Sadiq had his primary and secondary education at Royal College, Colombo and read for a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Colombo.He also holds a Master in Public Management (MPM)degree from Harvard University and the National University of Singapore, having been awarded the Lee KuanYew Fellowship to pursue his studies at these two prestigious universities.He also possesses professional accountancy and banking qualifications.

During his diplomatic career, High Commissioner Sadiq has served thrice as Ambassador, representing Sri Lanka in Saudi Arabia (2005-2007), Brazil (2009-2011) and The Netherlands (2015-2019).

From July 2019 until his current assignment in Maldives, High Commissioner Sadiq was Additional Secretary in the Foreign Ministry. As the most senior Additional Secretary in the Ministry, he had also served as Acting Secretary to the Foreign Ministry in 2015 and 2021 during the absence of the Foreign Secretary from the country.

In October 2019, High Commissioner Sadiq was elected Chair of the Governing Board of the SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) in Islamabad, for a two year tenure. He also held the Chair of the National IHL Committee of Sri Lanka and the Chair of the National Coordinating Committee on Readmissions from August 2019 until December 2021.

High Commission of Sri Lanka
Malé 03 February, 2022

A number of foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka have presented their credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House today (03), the Ministry of External Affairs said in multiple statements.

Accordingly the following ambassadors have presented their credentials to the President;

Guðni Bragason as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iceland to Sri Lanka

Alan Deniega as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Sri Lanka

Nurlan Zhalgasbayev as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka

Mustapha Jawara as the High Commissioner of the Republic of the Gambia to Sri Lanka

Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Umar Farooq Burki as the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka

Freddy Svane as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to Sri Lanka

Naor Gilon as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Sri Lanka

Katrin Kivi as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka (02.02.2022): The Rotary Colombo East Vocational Excellence Award recognises and acknowledges the herculean contribution made by Mr Aritha Wickramasinghe in the field of activism.

Mr. Wickramasinghe has been an outspoken advocate of equality and justice from everything ranging from women’s rights to domestic violence to equal access to legal advice, animal rights, youth representation, queer rights, employee protections, child rights, child protection, and a host of advocacies.

He has served in an advisory capacity on government reform but should not be mistaken for a mouthpiece of any regime. If there is a humanitarian cause at stake, one will never fail to find him at the frontlines with his sleeves rolled up, making a difference where it matters. He has remained one of the few non-partisan voices and a beacon of inclusion and equality. He is a friend of Rotary, especially the Rotary Colombo East family, and has served as a panellist or resource person for more projects (organised by either Rotary, Rotaract, or Interact) than can be endeavoured to enumerate. Accolades for his work have only just started to pour in, and most recently, he was recognised as an Outstanding Role Model by Sri Lanka Unites for his activism work together with such
eminent names as Asha de Vos and Otara Gunewardene.

Mr Wickramasinghe delivering an inspirational acceptance speech touched on such diverse topics as business, economic policy, and activism. His illuminating address while presenting an interesting take on rebuilding the national economy, strived to emphasise that activism is not the birthright of people on the fringes but the responsibility of all those who are privileged. He emphasised how despite specialising in financial law, he is often mistaken for a human rights lawyer on account of his work; work that he engages in not because it is his occupation but because it is his duty. He expounded the role Rotary and Rotarians can play in making lasting social change in this country, not only as the result of the good work of Rotary but as individuals and corporate and social leaders. He expressed his gratitude to Rotary Colombo East for the honour bestowed and emphasised
that activism is not something to shy away from, but something to embrace. He unapologetically invited Rotarians and all people of privilege to speak up where their voice can make a difference, to use influence where influence can make a difference, and to use money where money is going to be the conduit for lasting societal change. He furthermore stated that it is the duty of the state not to constrain and regulate the free market, but to ensure the protection, rights, privileges, and inclusion of its citizens- emphasising that Sri Lanka is far from an inclusive society. To the laudation of the members of Colombo East, he announced his impending nuptials to his long-time partner Dave Hunter who was also present at the evening’s commemoration. He used the opportunity to express his discontent at being unable to be married in Sri Lanka-shedding light on the country’s archaic and ludicrous marriage and civil union laws. He also used the opportunity to shed light on equally asinine personal laws with the poetically construed phrase – “a Muslim girl is not equal to her husband, a Tamil daughter is not equal to her brother, a Sinhalese wife is not equal to her husband, and I am not equal to many of you.”

The meeting also saw the induction of Mr. Sriyal Nilanka, eminent LGBTQ activist and Co-founder of the Pragna Collective as a member of Rotary Colombo East, a reflection of the Club’s commitment to being a safe-space for Rotary in Sri Lanka.

In his initial address, he spoke of the glass ceilings that are being shattered in this day and age, lauding Rotary Colombo East’s Safe-Space policy saying in his address to the Club that “ten years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of being welcomed in spaces like this one, and today when I was inducted, I was told by President-Elect Lasantha (Wijeweera), I am a part of this (Rotary Colombo East)
family…”.

The Club also presented awards to the winners of the Rotary Colombo East family’s essay competition on the four-way test with Rtr. Pankaja Kulatinge, and Kavita Gunaratne winning the Senior Competition and Divansshi Mukunthan and Mohamed Alhandeen winning the Junior Competition.