Colombo (News 1st): Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the United States of America, Rodney Perera assumed duties at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC recently.

Prior to this appointment as the Ambassador to the US, Ambassador Perera was Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. Ambassador Perera held the post of Additional Secretary and was the Ministry Spokesman from 2013 – 2014.

Ambassador Perera also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Norway from 2009 to 2012 and to Italy from 2003 – 2007.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Philippines, Aruni Ranaraja has been conferred the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), gold distinction by President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte during a farewell call paid by the Ambassador at the Malacañan Palace in Manila.

The Order of Sikatuna was established in 1953 and is conferred by the President of the Philippines to give recognition to individuals who have rendered exceptional services to the Philippines and to officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing, and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines as well as personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs, both at the Home Office and in the Foreign Office.

With the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), gold distinction, the Order of Sikatuna has been awarded to Ambassador Ranaraja in recognition of her major contributions in further strengthening the cordial relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines as well as her role in facilitating the state visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to the Philippines in January 2019 which opened a new chapter of enhanced and robust relations between the two countries.

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