The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) hosted an orientation program for the newly appointed Heads of Sri Lanka Missions on May 16 at the EDB.
Organised on the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the session aimed to brief the Heads of Missions on Sri Lanka’s current export strategies, sectoral priorities, and potential avenues for diplomatic collaboration to enhance international trade. A technical presentation titled “Sri Lanka’s Bilateral Trade Relationships: A Focus on USA, India, UAE, South Africa, Pakistan, Japan, Cuba, and the UK” was delivered by the Acting Director of the Market Development Division, Ms. Saumya Kannangara. It explored trade dynamics with these key partner nations, identifying opportunities and challenges while proposing strategic interventions to strengthen bilateral trade.
The program also featured a discussion session with the participation of the Chairman, Additional Director General, Directors of Divisions, and Market Development Officers of the EDB. The Heads of Missions were briefed on the specific areas where their support was vital, including B2B matchmaking, promoting Sri Lanka’s participation in trade fairs, generating market intelligence, and identifying potential buyers and distribution partners in overseas markets.
The newly appointed Ambassadors present were: Ms. P.M. Colonne (New Delhi), Justice Jayantha C. Jayasuriya P.C. (New York), R.M. Mahinda Dasa Ratnayake (Havana), Air Marshal (Rtd.) Udeni Rajapaksha (Pretoria), Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Fred Seneviratne (Islamabad), Prof. P. Janak Kumarasinghe (Tokyo), Prof. Arusha Cooray (Abu Dhabi), and S.D.N.U. Senadheera (London).
Chairman and CEO of the EDB, Mangala Wijesinghe and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sumith Dassanayaka and Ms. Dilini Lenagala were also present.
