Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Republic of Portugal, Professor Karunaratne Hangawatte presented Credentials to His Excellency President Anibal Cavaco Silva at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon on 30th October 2013.
Conveying the best wishes and warmest regards of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Portuguese President, Ambassador Hangawatte reiterated the historic ties that exist between the two countries.
Ambassador Hangawatte was received by a special honour guard in the courtyard of the Palace and following the playing of the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Portugal received his audience with the Portuguese Head of State. Also present at the ceremony were senior Portuguese dignitaries including members of the President’s civil and military households.
During his brief visit to Lisbon, Ambassador Hangawatte also explored areas of solidifying and further strengthening ties with Portugal. Discussions were held with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ana Martinho, Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Antonio Almeida Lima as well as the Head of the Asia Division, Pedro Carmona.
Similar deliberations took place at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, at which Ambassador Hangawatte met with the former Portuguese Minister of Education and Trustee of the Foundation, Eduardo Marcal Grilo and developed an understanding on initiatives to strengthen the educational, cultural and scientific relations. They discussed ways in which to establish the exchange of scientists to conduct scholarly activities at leading bio medical research institutes in Portugal.
Discussions were held with Jose Vital Morgado, Executive Director of AICEP Portugal Global, the leading trade and investment agency in the country. Both parties agreed to advance investment, trade and commerce relations through the exchange of business delegations from the two countries.
The 48 hour visit covered the crucial areas of diplomacy, science, culture as well as trade and investment and was geared towards creating fresh opportunities and opening new vistas in the relations between Sri Lanka and Portugal.
Ambassador Hangawatte was accompanied by George I. H. Cooke, First Secretary.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Paris
01.11.2013
