Ambassador-designate, Shani Calyaneratne Karunaratne arrived in Beirut on 08 September 2019, and was received by the Lebanese officials, and the staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka. On the same day, she assumed duties as the Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Lebanon.
The new Ambassador lit the traditional oil lamp and observed religious rituals at the Chancery premises. Addressing the Staff, and a gathering of representatives of Sri Lankan expatriates, Ambassador-designate said that the Embassy is one team aimed at serving Sri Lankan migrant community in Lebanon. She also mentioned that strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, and fostering trade and economic relations is vital to both the nations.
Ambassador-designate, Karunaratne joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service twenty three years ago. As a senior career diplomat, she held diplomatic positions in several key Sri Lankan Missions abroad and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to her appointment to Lebanon, she was the Deputy Chief of Mission at Sri Lanka Mission to China, where she was recognised as one of the five super Ambassadors. She has also received National Honours from the President of Sri Lanka in recognition of her contribution as an outstanding Sri Lankan woman, who brought international repute to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador-designate holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Peradeniya, and has earned two post-graduate Degrees from the University of Colombo.
