Luxembourg seeks to promote closer cultural, trade and tourism ties with Sri Lanka

Senior career diplomat E. Rodney M. Perera last week presented letters of credence to the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg to be accredited as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In the discussion that followed the presentation ceremony at the Royal Palace of Luxembourg, the Grand Duke congratulated the newly elected President and the people of Sri Lanka for consolidating the democratic framework of the country which would be a shining example in the global arena.

Ambassador Perera, who is also accredited to Belgium and the European Union with residence in Brussels, conveyed greetings of President Maithripala Sirisena to Grand Duke Henri, which were warmly reciprocated. The Grand Duke also expressed sentiments of goodwill and friendship towards the people of Sri Lanka. The newly appointed Ambassador highlighted the on-going work programme of the new Sri Lankan administration for political and economic reforms and Sri Lanka’s quest to engage in closer bilateral relations with Europe.

Grand Duke Henri in his turn commended Sri Lanka’s continued economic growth and the stable political climate in the country. Discussions also focused on bilateral and regional issues and both the Ambassador and the Grand Duke agreed that the time was opportune for renewed mutual efforts to enhance relations through the promotion of culture, trade, tourism and investment between the two countries.

Ambassador Perera is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, having served as Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Italy (and concurrently as Ambassador to Greece and Albania, High Commissioner to Cyprus and Malta) and Norway, and in Sri Lanka Missions in Tokyo, New York and Nairobi. He has also served as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat), Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and as Governor to the Internal Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).

Prior to his current appointment, Ambassador Perera functioned as the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of several key areas relating to political affairs, public and economic diplomacy, administration, and welfare of Sri Lankan workers overseas.

Source : http://epaper.dailymirror.lk/epaper/viewer.aspx

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