Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe presented Letters of Credence to Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace.
The Credential Ceremony was held at the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace which included a Guard of Honour by the Presidential Guard. The Guard of Honour was followed by the presentation of credentials and a courtesy call on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for International Cooperation Reembint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, and Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, also attended the credential ceremony.
Ambassador Jayesinghe conveyed greetings from President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the people of Sri Lanka, to President of UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum, and the people of the United Arab Emirates.
During the courtesy call the Ambassador mentioned that Sri Lanka-United Arab Emirates friendly relations have grown exponentially covering a multitude of areas with mutual benefits. It was also stated that Sri Lanka hopes to further strengthen bilateral relations in view of the milestone of 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka also spoke on behalf of fellow ambassadors stating that they hope to work closely promoting the special relations and expanding into new vistas of cooperation in the years ahead. The Ambassador was accompanied by Consul General in Dubai Charitha Yattogoda and Head of Chancery M.I.M. Rizvi.
Following the credential ceremony a reception was held at the ‘Sri Lanka House’, the Official Residence of the Ambassador for Officials of the UAE Government, Sri Lankan community and the Embassy Staff and families.
Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1998 and was Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia prior to the appointment in the United Arab Emirates. The diplomatic career entailed serving as Consul General in Shanghai, PRC and also in the Sri Lanka Embassy in the People’s Republic of China.
Ambassador Jayesinghe is a graduate of the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) and a past pupil of St. Joseph’s College and Royal College, Colombo.