Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, 14 March 2024 (TDI): A newly appointed Ambassador and a High Commissioner to Sri Lanka engaged in formal diplomatic protocol by presenting his credentials to the Sri Lankan President, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Wednesday.
Accordingly, Paitoon Mahapannaporn, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Sri Lanka, and His Excellency Major General Faheem Ul Aziz, HI (M), the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, presented their credentials to Sri Lankan President.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, and Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake were also part of the gathering on that occasion.
Sri Lanka Hosts IORA Day Festivities
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Day 2024 festivities led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe were celebrated on March 10th at the Galle Face Green under the chairmanship of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is the current chair of IORA, which consists of 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners. IORA celebrates its 27th anniversary in 2024.
This year, it takes center stage with the theme “Ensuring a Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations.” The theme chosen highlights the significance Sri Lanka places on preserving the oceans’ health for the benefit of future generations.
2024 IORA Day prioritized future generations as reflect in theme and featured a series of inclusive events involving students from schools in all nine provinces.
Prizes were awarded to the students who won places in the Art, Essay, and Social Media Competitions organized by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Technology, and the Funday Times newspaper of the Wijeya Group.
An art exhibition organized by the Ministry of Education showcasing the best 100 artworks of talented students from across Sri Lanka was on display. 700 school children representing all nine provinces participated.
Diplomatic missions of IORA member states and dialogue partner countries, UN agencies, and government line ministries showcased ocean advocacy initiatives carried out by them in 76 stalls.
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe honored the gathering, visited the stalls, and interacted with the children alongside Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, IORA Secretary General Dr. Salman Al Farisi, heads of diplomatic missions, and other dignitaries.
The inauguration of the event showcased the display of ten parachute jumps by paratroopers of the Tri Forces, an equestrian performance by the Sri Lanka Police, and a kite festival consisting of 150 kites in the shapes of marine life.
The celebrations concluded with an ocean ride onboard the Sri Lanka Navy’s “Princess of Lanka” vessel, organized by the Navy. Themed “Know Your Ocean,” it offered 700 schoolchildren valuable exposure to the Indian Ocean.
Gifts were distributed among children with the help of the valuable contributions given by the private sector and diplomatic missions.
