SL’s new Ambassador to Thailand assume duties

Sri Lanka’s new Ambassador to Thailand, Mrs. C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne assumed duties at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand [concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Laos People’s Democratic Republic and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)].

Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic religious observances were conducted by Ven. Prof. Walmoruwe Piyarathna Thera, Rev. Krishnamoorthy Sivasubramanian, Rev. Worawut Saraphan and Rev. Sittirath Wacharapisudhi, respectively.

Mrs. Colonne is a career diplomat, who joined the Sri Lankan Foreign Service in 1998. Prior to her appointment as Ambassador to Thailand, she served as Director-General of the Middle East (2018-2021) and Director-General of Middle East and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Relations (2016-2018).

Her posts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. included, Director-General of Africa (2011-2013), Director of Africa (2008-2011) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Deputy Director of Economic Affairs (2004-2005), Deputy Director of Consular Affairs (2003-2004) and Assistant Director of Political Affairs – East (1998-2000).

Her overseas posts included Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin, Germany with concurrent accreditation to Switzerland (2013-2016), Counsellor of Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, India (2005-2008) and First Secretary/Second Secretary of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow, Russia (2000-2003).

During her tenure as Counsellor at the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, she also served as the Secretary of the India-Sri Lanka Foundation.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (Zoology Special) from the University of Colombo and served as a member of academic staff of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo (1996-1998), prior to joining the Sri Lanka Foreign Service.

She is a past pupil of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

She is married to Stephen Senanayake, a Sri Lanka government officer.