Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba, Sarath Dissanayake who is concurrently accredited to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, presented his Letter of Credence to President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros at a simple but elegant ceremony at the President’s Office in Caracas on 2nd October 2013. Earlier in the day, Ambassador handed over a copy of Credentials to Vice Foreign Minister of Venezuela, David Velasquez Caraballo at the Foreign Ministry following a luncheon hosted by the latter for the newly accredited envoys to Venezuela.
During a brief exchange of views and pleasantries with President Maduro, Ambassador Dissanayake conveyed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sincere greetings and warm wishes to President Maduro and the people of Venezuela. Recalling the deep rooted friendship and understanding nurtured between the late President Hugo Chavez and President Rajapaksa, Ambassador Dissanayake emphasized the commitment of Sri Lanka to build up even closer relations with Venezuela based on mutual trust, respect and shared values.
President Maduro, on his part commended President’s Rajapaksa’s steadfast and visionary leadership and also Sri Lanka’s post-conflict progress and developments that ushered in a new era for all Sri Lankans. He also noted Venezuela’s firm resolve to further strengthen multifaceted ties and cooperation in all areas of interest with Sri Lanka for mutual benefit.
The Venezuelan President extended his best wishes to President Rajapakse and the people of Sri Lanka for continued happiness, wellbeing and progress. Ambassador Dissanayake conveyed his sincere gratitude to President Maduro for the warm welcome and opportunity to meet him and present Credentials.
During his short stay in Caracas, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador took the opportunity to meet with few other Venezuelan officials and discussed Sri Lanka - Venezuela relations and issues of interest and concern to both countries. During discussions he also emphasized the significance of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 12th-17th November 2013 and sought Venezuela’s participation at the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) which would bring together Heads of Government, Ministers and top business leaders from around the world including over a thousand delegates.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Havana, Cuba
06th October 2013
