President Professor Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa addressing the Diplomatic Corps
Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja, Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic with residence in France attended the ceremony of inauguration of President Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa held on 9th March 2016 at the Portuguese Parliament. The President elect was sworn in at a customary grand ceremony including a military Guard of Honour with the participation of high ranking Portuguese Officials, visiting Heads of State, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other dignitaries. In keeping with Portuguese tradition, the incumbent President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva was also present at the ceremony symbolizing the peaceful transition of power.
President of the Portuguese Republic making his inaugural speech emphasized the President’s duty to defend, abide by and enforce the constitution and the need to safeguard the dynamism and pluralism of society. He also mentioned the need to move forward with the national identity in an evolving geo-political background to foster development. During this visit, Ambassador also met with the Director of the Colouste Gulbenkian Foundation and discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of culture, especially with regard to the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage.
Ambassador Ranaviraja with President of the Portuguese Republic and other Heads of Mission
Further, Ambassador Ranaviraja also took this occasion to visit the church of Our Lady of the Gate of the Heaven in Lisbon which has been built by a ‘Black Prince of Sri Lanka’ in the 16th century, who is said to be the son of Dom Philip Yamasinha of the Kandyan dynasty. Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a veteran politician and law professor made an emphatic victory capturing 52.4% of the total votes cast at the Presidential elections which concluded on 24th January 2016.
Ambassador Ranaviraja with President of the Portuguese Republic and other Heads of Mission
The Embassy of Sri Lanka
France
14th March 2016
