Sri Lanka Ambassador to France Tilak Ranaviraja, concurrently accredited to the Portuguese Republic presented his credentials to Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of the Portuguese Republic at a grand ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon, Portugal on 12th January 2016.
Upon the conclusion of the formal event at a reception hosted by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Ambassador Ranaviraja extended the warmest felicitations of President Maithripala Sirisena, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Portuguese President and briefed the President on political developments in Sri Lanka and on the policy priorities of the new National Government. The President and the Ambassador also discussed the need to reinvigorate the deep rooted bilateral relations existing between the two countries including that of a shared cultural heritage. In this context, reference was also made by the President of Portugal to the visit of the Portuguese Prime Minister to Sri Lanka and the importance of consolidating the official and diplomatic engagements with a view to promote further cooperation between the two countries.
Thereafter, a luncheon was hosted by Mr. Augusto Santos Silva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Palacio das Necessidades where the Ambassador was given a good opportunity to interact with the Minister himself and other high officials of the Government.
Furthermore, in keeping with the Government's robust policy on promoting economic diplomacy, Ambassador Ranaviraja met with Mr. Miguel Jorge Reis Antunes Frasquilho, Chairman of the Portugal Global - Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP), the main arm for promoting public-private partnerships in Portugal. The discussions were focused on the early conclusion of the double taxation agreement and investment protection agreements as a means of enhancing bilateral trade.
The visit was successfully concluded with a gala concert and dinner held at the Ajuda National Palace. On the invitation of the President and the First Lady of Portugal, both Ambassador Ranaviraja and Mrs. Ranaviraja attended this event.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka
Paris
28th January 2016
