The newly appointed High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne (Rtd.) presented credentials to the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi at a formal ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidency) in Islamabad on Tuesday, 19 December 2023.
The credential ceremony included a guard of honour followed by the presentation of credentials and a cordial discussion with the President of Pakistan. High Commissioner Wijegunaratne conveyed warm greeting from the President of Sri Lanka and highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations in the areas of trade, culture, defence and people to people.
The President of Pakistan extended his best wishes to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the people of Sri Lanka and wished that Sri Lanka will overcome economic challenges soon. He thanked the Sri Lanka government for providing more than 35,000 Eye corneas to Pakistani people. Further, the President of Pakistan underlined the need for enhancing and strengthening cultural linkages between the two countries, besides exchanging visits at the political and cultural levels. The President acknowledged that Sri Lanka was the first country that entered into a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan and highlighted the need for increasing the volume of bilateral trade for the mutual benefit of two countries. The High Commissioner extended his gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the support extended to the Government of Sri Lanka at various levels.
The High Commissioner, Admiral Ravindra began his career in the Sri Lanka Navy in the year 1980 and was promoted to the rank of Admiral/ Chief of Defense Staff (Tri-Forces Commander). He has 40 years active service in Sri Lanka Armed Forces. He completed his BSc (Hon) (War Studies) in Karachi University and MPhil (Defense and Strategic Studies), Madras University. He has also specialized in Anti-Submarine Warfare and served as the First Secretary/Defense Adviser of the Sri Lanka High Commission, New Delhi from 2001-2005. Before appointing as the High Commissioner, he served as the Managing Director of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Chairman of Trinco Petroleum Terminals (Pvt) Ltd. The High Commissioner is a past student of Royal College, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
During his tenure in the Forces, he was awarded several medals from Sri Lanka and Nishan-e-Imtiyaz Medal from Pakistan.
The High Commissioner was accompanied to the credentials ceremony by his family, Minister of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pakistan Christy Ruban and Minister Counsellor (Defence) Brigadier Kaminda Silva.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Islamabad
21 December 2023
