Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the Republic of the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa assumed duties at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila on 04 September 2023.
After the religious and traditional observances, the Ambassador-designate addressed the staff and emphasised the importance of team work in achieving Sri Lanka’s diplomatic goals including further strengthening and elevating the friendly relations with the Philippines to the next level.
An officer of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Dr. Talpahewa came first in the country at the SLFS recruitment examination. He has served in the Sri Lanka Missions to the United Nations (New York), the Maldives, Turkey and the United Kingdom. He served in the United Nations (UN) as the Head of Agency of United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He has also served as the Assistant Secretary (International Relations) to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. In addition, he has private sector experience.
Dr. Talpahewa obtained his PhD in Politics and Internationals Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK and was awarded the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship, Developing World Education Fund Scholarship & Smuts Scholarship in Commonwealth Studies. He obtained MPhil in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge and MBA, MA (IR), MDS and BSc. degrees from the University of Colombo. He was admitted to the Bar as an Attorney-at-Law in 1992. He has also been a visiting lecturer to many universities and higher education institutions in Sri Lanka.
An outstanding sportsman, he is the first Sri Lankan rowing captain. He has represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Games, won medals at South Asian Games and currently holds two Sri Lanka records.
Dr. Talpahewa has presented papers at numerous research conferences and has contributed articles to many research journals. He has authored Peaceful Intervention in Intra-State Conflicts: Norwegian Involvement in the Sri Lankan Peace Process (Ashgate, UK 2015 and Routledge, UK 2016) and co-authored A Quick Guide to Plants in the Maldives.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manila
04 September 2023
