Hon. Neomal Perera, Deputy Minister of External Affairs and Hon. Gitanjana Gunawardena, Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation represented H.E. the President of Sri Lanka at the swearing in ceremony of Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyas' President-elect. Kenyatta is the son of founding father and the 1st President of the nation. Vice President William Ruto also took oaths on this occasion.
From 6th to 10th March, the Berlin International Economics Congress 2013 organized by the renowned Institute of Cultural Diplomacy (ICD), an international organization with headquarters in Berlin with the focus on the promotion of international understanding by cultural exchange, took place under the motto of “Intercultural Relations, Youth Development Advancement, Environmental Responsibility & Ecotourism: Opportunities for Successful Nation Branding in the 21st Century”. Keynote Speakers from all continents were discussing a better future for their countries and the world.
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Cairo participated at the 46th Session of Cairo International Fair from 19th to 29th March 2013 as part of trade promotion work being undertaken in Egypt and the North African region. A stall at the fair was open for displaying pure Ceylon Tea, Porcelain ware (Dankotuwa) and Manchee Biscuits. This initiative was supported by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Export Development Board.
Defeating many countries in the region Asia, Australia and Oceania, Sri Lanka wins the third best exhibitor award at the International Tourism Fair in Germany. The selected criteria for the award are Design, activities, services and information materials. The impression of the pavilion of Sri Lanka was highlighted with the phrase, ``smiling people and traditional manners`` at the award ceremony. The Award was received by Mr. Rumy Jauffer, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. H. E. the Ambassador also participated at the award ceremony.
1. On the invitation of Hon. Martin Kuba, Minister of Industry & Trade of the Czech Republic, Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka Hon. Basil Rajapaksaa visited the Czech Republic from 27th – 31st March 2013. Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, also took part in the visit.
The Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Chamal Rajapaksa paid his first official visit to Cuba from 26th to 30th March 2013 accompanied by Member of Parliament, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Secretary General of Parliament, Dhammika Dasanayake. The delegation was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba, Sarath Dissanayake.
His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa received a group of visiting Sri Lankan –American community leaders at Temple Trees, Colombo on Tuesday, March 26th , 2013.
During the meeting the President stated that the he expects the unstinted support from all Sri Lankans living abroad to overcome the challenges before the nation.
