30th January 2022 06:24:57 Hours
The newly-appointed Counsellor (Defence) to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra, Australia, Captain (G) of the Sri Lanka Navy, S.P Kathriarachchi paid a courtesy call on General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army this morning (28) at the Army Headquarters in Sri Jayawardenapura.
During this meeting, General Shavendra Silva, the first serving military officer in the history to have held the appointment of Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York and as the first Sri Lankan to serve the United Nations High-Level Advisory Panel on Peacekeeping Missions of the then UN Secretary General, briefed him on the nature of duties he would have to perform during his tenure.
"Your appointment to this office in Australia carries weight with our country as it would symbolize the extent of relations that could be promoted between both countries since Australia has been maintaining good relations with our country. Your contribution should be able to elevate those relations to new levels as a diplomat while interacting with all segments of that society, particularly with those elements who operate with misinformed belief about our country and also with all Sri Lankan expatriates. Let them identify you not only as a Defene Counsellor but also as a state representative who would always stand by them in times of their difficulties. This office endorses your suitability for the appointment and is reflective of your potential career prospects as you march forward in your organization," General Shavendra Silva said.
" Try your maximum to win the hearts and minds of our detractors since HE the President himself has invited the Diaspora to interact with him directly for better understanding and maintenance of sound relations since a large segment of those misinformed expatriates are unaware of ground realities in Sri Lanka, having many of those born in those lands. Your representation is therefore of multiple value, to say the least, and therefore expose yourself as a diplomat with confidence and dedication in order to place the facts in correct perspective," he added refreshing his own memories and working experiences abroad.
Towards the end of the brief interaction, General Shavendra Silva extended best wishes and compliments to him and assured him the best of cooperation.
