Those who presented credentials were Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma, Ghana High Commissioner Samuel Panyin Yalley, Kenyan High Commissioner Florence Imisa Weche, Singapore High Commissioner S Chandra Das and Seychelles High Commissioner Philippe Le Gail.

President Sirisena, referring to close bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and the countries represented by the new envoys expressed confidence that they would strive to further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation in many areas including trade, investment and tourism.

The President also recalled the close economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan and the cooperation with countries such as Ghana and Kenya as leading members of the nonaligned movement.

While Japanese Ambassador and High Commissioner of Seychelles will be based in Colombo, others will function as non-resident High Commissioners. High Commissioner Phillippe Le Gail is the first resident High Commissioner of Seychelles.