Four High Commissioners and an Ambassador presented credentials to President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today (May 8).

Those who presented credentials were Malta High Commissioner, Stephen Borg, New Zealand High Commissioner, Joanna Mary Kempkers, Indonesian Ambassador, Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa and Nepal Ambassador, Prof Bishwambher Pyakuryal.

President Sirisena, referring to close bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and the countries represented by the new envoys expressed confidence that they would strive to further strengthen bilateral friendship and economic cooperation.

Speaking to Malta High Commissioner Borg, the President recalled his visit to the picturesque island-nation to hand over the Chairmanship of the CHOGM.  Ambassador Borg explained the steps taken by his country to implement CHOGM decisiaons taken at the Malta Summit.

President Sirisena said that the new envoys commenced their tenure in Sri Lanka at a fortunate occasion of the Vesak Week in which Sri Lanka hosts the UN Vesak Day.

Nepal Ambassador, Prof Pyakuryal expressed thanks from Nepali President for the invitation extended to her by President Sirisena to be the Chief Guest at the closing Vesak ceremony in Kandy on Sunday.

New Zealand High Commissioner, Joanna Mary Kempkers thanked the President for excellent cooperation extended to New Zealand and Australia to combat human smuggling operations. Referring to close cooperation in security sector, she said that ships of Sri Lanka Navy are taking part in ANZAC Naval Exercises currently held in the Pacific Ocean.