Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said that he would place economic diplomacy at the centre of Sri Lanka’s foreign affairs.

 

He made this observation following his swearing in as the Foreign Minister earlier in the day. Samaraweera said that he will be focusing on promoting trade, tourism and investment. He also noted that restructuring the Foreign Ministry and the rationalization of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad was an urgent priority.

 

Samaraweera pledged to build on “the tremendous goodwill the international community extended to Sri Lanka after the January 8 revolution”, adding that, “this intensification of engagement and strengthening of relations will be made possible by the political stability arising from the decisive mandate given by the people in the general election”.

 

This is the third time Samaraweera will hold the portfolio, having held it for the first time between November 2005 and January 2007, and for the second time between January 2015 and August 2015.