Mangala Samaraweera pledged to focus on building international goodwill for Sri Lanka, following his appointment as the country's minister of foreign affairs for the third time.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Samaraweera, said he would “build, with even greater vigour, on the tremendous goodwill the international community extended to Sri Lanka after the January 8 revolution”.
"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," he added.
Mr Samaraweera went on to state that he would “place economic diplomacy at the centre of Sri Lanka’s foreign affairs - focusing on promoting trade, tourism and investment”, as well as ensuring “restructuring the Foreign Ministry and the rationalisation of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad was an urgent priority”.
Related article: Chandrika and Ranil decide ministerial portfolios (22 Aug 2015)
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Samaraweera, said he would “build, with even greater vigour, on the tremendous goodwill the international community extended to Sri Lanka after the January 8 revolution”.
"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," he added.
Mr Samaraweera went on to state that he would “place economic diplomacy at the centre of Sri Lanka’s foreign affairs - focusing on promoting trade, tourism and investment”, as well as ensuring “restructuring the Foreign Ministry and the rationalisation of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad was an urgent priority”.
Related article: Chandrika and Ranil decide ministerial portfolios (22 Aug 2015)