On 20th August, 2026, as first woman Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Suriname, with residence in Brasilia, Brazil, Ambassador C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne presented her Letters of Credence, to President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of the Republic of Suriname, at the Presidential Palace, Independence Square, Paramaribo, Suriname. Ambassador Chaminda Colonne conveyed warm best wishes from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of Suriname, said a release issued by the Lankan Embassy in Brasilia said.

It said: The ceremony was included with the guard of honour at the arrival of the Ambassador. Minister of Foreign Affairs; International Business and Cooperation Melvin Waldie Joy Bouva of Suriname joined the Ceremony.

After warmly welcoming the Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons assured her fullest cooperation and support for furthering and consolidating Suriname’s friendly relations and cooperation with Sri Lanka during her new tenure of office. President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons conveyed that her government seeks to share Sri Lanka’s knowledge and best practices in the fields of economic recovery and sustainable energy, with a view to the further development of the Surinamese energy sector and expressed Suriname’s appreciation for Sri Lanka’s leading role as the founding member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Ambassador Chaminda Colonne congratulated President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons on her election as the very first woman President of Suriname and recalled that Sri Lanka had produced the world’s first woman Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1960, and highlighted that she will be the first lady Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Suriname.

Both recalled that the two countries enjoyed over a decade of warm bilateral relations after establishment of formal Diplomatic relations in 2012. They recalled Suriname’s deep historical connections to South Asia, cooperation in Non-Aligned Movement, G- 77 and importance of exchange of high-level visits, having MoU on Exemption of Visa for Diplomatic and Official Passports, MoU on Political Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, establishing Sri Lanka-Suriname Parliamentary Friendship Group, enhancing South- South Cooperation.

Both agreed further expanding existing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, ayurvedic medicine and tourism. As Suriname has become a prominent offshore oil producer, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne conveyed Sri Lanka’s keen interest on joint venture opportunities in Suriname’s booming oil and gas sector, where expanding digital infrastructure could use Sri Lanka’s ICT expertise in manufacturing and IT services. Both sides agreed to discuss to improve the two countries sea route connectivity through port-to-port connections. Increasing Sri Lanka’s exports, such as cinnamon, tea, activated carbon apparel, rubber products, tyres, coconut-based products and Suriname’s participation at Sri Lanka Expo-2027, between 14-17 January, 2027, were also discussed.

On 19th August 2026, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne presented her open copies of letters of Credence to Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation Melvin Waldie Joy Bouva at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation. Permanent Secretary Ambassador Mariam Mac Intosh and Amberien Pierkhan of the Asia Department joined the discussions. The Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Chief of Diplomatic Protocol Ambassador Audrey Christopher of the Foreign Ministry of Suriname.

During her stay in Suriname, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne paid courtesy calls on Minister of Education, Science and Culture Dirk M.R. Currie and Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname Michal A. Adhin of Suriname and had meetings with President Anil Pandarath of the Chamber of Commerce and Factories (KKF), Executive Director Nijanthrie Kuldip Singh of Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) and Chairman Egon von Foidl of Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHATA).

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has provided emergency humanitarian supplies worth US$250,641 to Sri Lanka to strengthen disaster preparedness and protect the health and safety of women, girls and pregnant mothers during emergencies.

The consignment was handed over to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at the Family Health Bureau by New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Pine, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Ruth Baird and UNFPA Acting Representative in Sri Lanka Phuntsho Wangyel.

Funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, the assistance includes eight high-efficiency tents, three of them equipped with solar-powered lighting systems, 999 Midwifery Go-Bags, 1,283 Maternity Kits, 246 Elderly Kits and 1,659 Dignity Kits for women and girls.

Receiving the supplies, Dr. Jayatissa said Sri Lanka was frequently exposed to natural disasters and stressed the need to prepare resources, personnel and facilities before emergencies occur.

Referring to floods in Nepal, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia and Cyclone Ditwah, which affected Sri Lanka last November, he said it was difficult to predict the full extent of damage caused by natural disasters.

The Minister said vulnerable groups, particularly women, girls and pregnant mothers, required special attention during disasters.

The supplies will be strategically pre-positioned in high-risk districts to minimise delays caused by damaged roads and disrupted infrastructure, enabling health workers to provide emergency services promptly.

Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary Dr. Kumara Wickramasinghe, Deputy Director General Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli and Director of the Family Health Bureau Dr. Chandima Sirithunga were also present.

By Norman Palihawadane

An Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration has been arrested by the CID for allegedly assisting in the preparation of an illegal passport for an organised criminal.

The suspect was arrested on Thursday (17) by officers of the CID’s Special Investigations Unit at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Police identified the suspect as a 42-year-old resident of Gampaha.

The CID’s Special Investigations Unit is conducting further investigations into the incident.