At the traditional credential address, Ambassador Hettiarachchi conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to the President of Macedonia, and reiterated the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen relations between the two countries. The Ambassador further expressed confidence that the possibilities for enhancing trade between the two countries will be considered in order to establish a long-term partnership that will lead to new contents of cooperation in several areas of common interest.
Welcoming the new Ambassador, President Ivanov said that the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established two decades ago and that in the future, political dialogue and economic cooperation in all fields should be intensified, which requires institutional support. During an audience with the President after the presentation of credentials, the Sri Lankan envoy briefed him on all significant developments in Sri Lanka, particularly on reconciliation, reconstruction and economic development, following the election of the unity government in 2015.
The Macedonian President expressed great satisfaction over the status of existing relations between the two countries and indicated his desire to elevate them to an even higher level in the future for the benefit of both countries. The Sri Lankan Ambassador thanked the Macedonian President for the support that Macedonia has extended to Sri Lanka in all international fora in the past. The President assured of his support and that of his staff to the new envoy in pursuing initiatives for greater cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of culture, trade, investment and tourism.
This is the first time that a Sri Lankan Ambassador resident in Germany presented Credentials in Macedonia after Sri Lanka established formal diplomatic relations with it in 1994. Spouse of the Ambassador Wasantha Gunawardana, and Counsellor/ Head of Chancery Ahamed Razee accompanied the Ambassador to the credential ceremony.
