Sri Lanka opened its first Honorary Consulate in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia recently. Inauguration of the Honorary Consulate and the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony was held in Ulaanbaatar and attended by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Mongolia with residence in Beijing Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, Honorary Consul Mrs. Orgilmaa Doloonjin, Most Venerable Khamba Uama Choijamts of Gandan Monastery, Director General of the Asia-Pacific Department of the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Sarantogos and several well wishers, including Sri Lankans living in Ulaanbaatar.
Addressing the inauguration, Ambassador Kodituwakku recalled the historical relations between the two countries through Buddhism, and contemporary relations as members of the Non-Aligned movement. He said that though the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1962, they have not been able to establish residential Missions in each other's capitals. Therefore, establishment of a Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Ulaanbaatar will immensely strengthen relations between the two countries in the future, the Ambassador added.
Most Venarable Khamba Lama Choijamts, addressing the gathering, recalled his visit to Sri Lanka last year and the meetings he had with Mahanayaka theros in Kandy. Further, he recalled the contribution made by two late Buddhist priests from Sri Lanka, namely Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara and Ven. Medagoda Sumanatissa, to promote friendship between Buddhist communities of Mongolia and Sri Lanka. He requested the gathering to visit Sri Lanka, particularly Kandy and Anuradhapura to obtain blessings from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Sri Maha Bodhi.
Mrs. Orgilma Doloonjing, the first Sri Lankan Honorary Consul in Mongolia, who is a leading entrepreneur, thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for the opportunity given to her to promote the friendship between the two countries. She assured the gathering that she would devote her time and resources to enhance trade and cultural connectivity, including tourism.
Mr. Danushka Wijesekera, who spoke on behalf of the Sri Lankan expatriates in Mongolia thanked both governments for the establishment of the Honorary Consulate. The Mongolian National Television gave a prominence coverage for the event in its evening news bulletin.
