Mr. Grahame Morton
High Commissioner of New Zealand
Ms. Zahiya Zareer
High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives
Mr. Hassan Mahmoud Mohammad Al-Jawameh
Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Ms. Pema Choden
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bhutan
Mr. Sabit Subasic
Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina
During the discussion, President Rajapaksa briefed the new diplomats on Sri Lanka's post-war progress, pointing out that after 30 years of suffering, there is now peace and stability. He encouraged the Ambassadors and High Commissioners to travel around the country and see the ground reality for themselves.
The President also discussed the brutality of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist organization and described how it destroyed everything in the Northern Province, including schools, railways, roads and hospitals, which the Government rebuilt soon after the war ended. Provincial council elections were also held in the Northern Province after 28 years, the President further said.
All five diplomats assured continued cooperation with Sri Lanka towards strengthening relations. They spoke about existing friendly relations and their interest in collaborating in various sectors.
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga and Acting Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara were present.(KH/SI)
