Sri Lanka opens High Commission in Uganda

By Vision reporter

President Yoweri Museveni has opened the new High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Uganda at the Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala.

The colorful ceremony that was attended by the visiting President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaska was characterized by the unveiling of a plaque and cutting of a ribbon. The first envoy of Sri Lanka to Uganda is Velupillai Kananathan.

The same function saw the launching of the rehabilitation of Masulita Vocational Training center in Kakiri district. The government of Sri Lanka has committed herself to undertake the project at the centre whose current intake is 200 students and once refurbishment is completed will have a capacity of 400 students.

Museveni thanked the Sri Lankan government for the offer and said the people of the area will be delighted about the project as the area has some historical significance in the liberation of the country.

“I want to thank the government of Sri Lanka for the project. The area happens to be the place where we were fighting a war of resistance. The people of the area will be delighted about the project,” he said.

The visiting Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris in his remarks described the occasion as a befitting tribute for the cordial relationship between the two countries Sri Lanka and Uganda.

”We have a political relationship that is ideal. Our countries share many things in common. They have both emerged from the shadows of colonialism. We must work together to achieve our objectives,” he noted.

President Yoweri Museveni shakes hands with Velupillai Kananathan, the first high Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Uganda as the Chairperson of Masulita Childrens Village Mable Kiggundu (right) looks on. Ths was at Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala. Monday 13/05/2013.PHOTO BY ENOCK KAKANDE

He stressed that the focus now should be on trade, commerce and tourism.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kuteesa said the launching of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Uganda will go a long way in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries, adding that the new Commission will promote trade and investment in various sectors.

He commended the government of Sri Lanka for the offer to refurbish Masuulita training centre that will be used for developing skills among the youth. Mr. Kuteesa congratulated Ambassador Kananathan for his new posting as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Uganda.

Kananathan expressed his heartfelt thanks to Rajapaska for appointing him as the first envoy to Uganda and praised him for the policy of cooperation extended to Africa by opening the doors to the continent that is today regarded as an attractive investment destination.

“I am honored to take up this post. Uganda and Sri Lanka have close working relationship over the years. I also thank President Museveni for gracing the historic occasion that will go a long way in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries especially in the sectors of trade and investment,” he note