Dias takes over Kuala Lumpur mission after unjustified Canadian and Italian rejection

The newly appointed High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Malaysia Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias (retired) assumed duties at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on 27 January, 2022.

The government sent him to Malaysia after Canada and Italy refused to accept his appointment based on unsubstantiated war crimes allegations directed at the Sri Lankan security forces for defeating the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit against the wishes of the West. There wasn’t a single specific accusation against Air Marshal Dias.

Addressing the staff of the Mission, the High Commissioner-designate recalled the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, while outlining his priorities and expectations and the need to enhance economic, political and people to people contacts between Sri Lanka and Malaysia. He specially stressed upon the duty of the High Commission to strive to find new and innovative ways to attract investments, enhance bilateral trade relations and promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, in order to assist Sri Lanka to overcome the challenges that our motherland is currently facing.

High Commissioner-designate Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias was the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.