US president Donald Trump has nominated Alaina Teplitz to be the next US ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Ms Teplitz, the current US ambassador to Nepal, is reported to be a career diplomat and has been with the US State Department since 1991.
Previously she held the position of Assistant Secretary-ranked position of Director of the Under Secretary for Management’s Office of Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation (M/PRI), Minister Counselor for Management at US Embassy in Kabul from 2011-2012 and Deputy Executive Director of the Near East and South and Central Asia Bureau’s joint executive office from 2009-2011.
Her nomination has now been sent to the US Senate, where it awaits confirmation. If confirmed, she will replace current US ambassador to Sri Lank Atul Keshap, who has held the post since August 2015.