Information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cooperation indicate that Amb. William Nkurunziza will represent Rwanda as her diplomat to Sri-Lanka.
Amb. Nkurunziza on December 6, 2011 presented his credentials to the President of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, at his offices in the country’s capital Colombo .
Nkurunziza has been the High Commissioner of Rwanda accredited to India, and also to Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the Maldives. It is part of South Asia.
As a result of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia and was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road.
Nkurunziza was the first Rwandan envoy to present credentials to Sri Lankan government following the two countries’ decision to establish diplomatic relations earlier this year.
In presenting his credentials, the High commissioner conveyed President Paul Kagame’s fraternal greetings and best wishes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his good health and prosperity of his country and people as well as the Rwandan president’s desire to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan president warmly welcomed Rwanda as a friend and commended the country for its solidarity in international fora.
The ceremony was attended by the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor G. L Peiris and other senior government officials.
After presenting credentials, the High Commissioner paid courtesy calls to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Agriculture as well as the Secretary for defence.
All these eminent officials expressed readiness to work with Rwanda in strengthening bilateral and sectoral cooperation between the two countries, says a statement by the Rwanda High Commission in India.
The High Commissioner also held discussions with the Executive Director of Sri Lankan Board of Investments as well as the Chairman and CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
In collaboration with the Chamber, the High Commissioner hosted 30 leading captains of Sri Lankan industry to a diner during which he articulated Rwanda’s proposition as an idea destination for trade and investments.
The presentation was well received with many executives expressing intentions to visit Rwanda and explore opportunities, especially in the construction, tea processing and power sectors.
Commenting on this new development, Ambassador Nkurunziza welcomed the formalization of relations describing it as part of “Rwanda’s expansion of its diplomatic footprint, gaining new friends and strengthening its source of solidarity in international fora.
“Sri Lanka is also a potential source of investment, especially in the construction, tea processing and power sectors where it has competitive strengths and sectors in which its companies are already expanding outward,” he added.
Sri Lanka, with a GDP of over $68 billion, is among the leading global exporters of textiles and apparel, tea, rubber and rubber products as well as gems and jewelry.
The High Commissioner was accompanied by his spouse, Leonia Nkuruh, and the First Counsellor, Alfred Ndabarasa, at the Credentials presentation ceremony.
ENDS
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