Addressing 10 ambassadors and high commissioners at the Presidential secretariat yesterday (9th Aug.), he said the first and foremost duty of the envoys is to promote Sri Lanka abroad and obtain maximum possible cooperation from the host nations. He pointed that the priority areas in this regard are investments, trade, technical cooperation, education, health, increase Sri Lankan exports and technical cooperation.

President Sirisena said that the envoys representing Sri Lanka abroad should firmly commit themselves to the policies and the vision of the government and promote Sri Lanka keeping that in mind.

He pointed out the imperative need to showcase the correct positive picture of Sri Lanka and take corrective steps when interested parties spread falsehoods and disinformation through social media and other mediums.

List of the new Ambassadors and High Commissioners:

Prof. (Ms) Arusha Cooray – Ambassador-Designate Norway

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka – Ambassador-Designate Russia

Mr. M.M.Jaffeer – Ambassador-Designate Brazil

Mr. M.K.K.Girihagama – Ambassador-Designate Canada

Mr. C.A.H.M. Wijeratne – Ambassador-Designate Poland

Mr. S.S.Ganegama Arachchi – Ambassador-Designate Sweden

Ms. S.S. Premawardena -Ambassador-Designate Vietnam

Mr. Anuruddha Kumara Mallimarathchi – High Commissioner-Designate South Africa

Mr. Austin Fernando– High Commissioner-Designate – India

Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid- High Commissioner-Designate – Pakistan

Secretary to the President Udaya R Seneviratne and Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam also participated on this occassion.