By Zanita Careem

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Siri Walt was born in 1967 in Bergen, Norway. She has studied at the University of Bern and at Lincoln College, Oxford, and has earned a PhD in Classics from the University of Bern in 1997. With a distinguished career spanning diverse diplomatic roles, Siri Walt brings a wealth of experience to her role in Sri Lanka.

She also served as Ambassador of Switzerland to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and Gabon and from 2019-23 as Head of the Africa Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern.

Siri Walt is married and has one son.

In an interview with the Sunday Island she shared her views on the naunces of diplomacy,the challenges and her aspirations for fostering stronger ties between Switzerland and Sri Lanka. Right from beginning, she revealed her deeply, human effectionate, optimistic and vibrant personality, she also spoke about shared values of democracy and human rights. Ambassador Dr. Siri has personal hopes dear to her heart, she loves to meet with people, not just from the fancy parties or within the diplomatic circle but to meet people from all corners of Sri Lanka. Her mission reflects a commitment to strengthening the bond between Sri Lanka and Switzerland, and to work closely to further develop this relationship with a shared vision for mutual prosperity.

Tell us about your professional journey? What inspired you to pursue a diplomatic journey?

My diplomatic career started almost 28 years ago, and I have never regretted it. Then, as now, learning about new cultures and countries and at the same time representing my own country and promoting bilateral relations is very gratifying. I also appreciate the diversity of my profession. I dealt for example with trade issues in South Korea, with development cooperation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or with multilateral issues on the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) desk at headquarters. It is a privilege to learn from so many people, including political leaders, business representatives, civil society activists and artists, and to discuss issues of common interest.

Challenges you face as a woman diplomat in countries you served, including Sri Lanka?

When I entered the Swiss foreign service, women were still a minority and there very only very few women ambassadors. Since 2005 we have an association of Women Diplomats which promotes women in leadership positions and compatibility between work and family. I had the privilege to preside over this association for some time. It is important for colleagues to exchange experiences and to help each other. As a diplomat abroad I have never experienced any particular challenges as I am seen, at least on a professional level, as representing my country. But as women in general, we face of course still many challenges, in Switzerland, Sri Lanka or globally. So, if I can be a role model for young women by being a female diplomat, it makes me very happy. And it is encouraging that the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry boasts many highly qualified women. The appointments of Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as PM and of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando are strong signals and will hopefully inspire many young Sri Lankan women to pursue their career goals.

Project visit: admire strength and resilience of women

Gender equally and women’s rights, How do you champion these initiatives in Sri Lanka?

Generally speaking, working to enhance gender equality and women’s rights is not only a task for women. They are the responsibility of the whole society, including men. It takes the effort of everyone to create a better and safe environment for people of all ages and gender.

At the embassy, gender issues are always a cross cutting theme when we plan our projects. We try to make sure that men and women are equally benefitting from our activities. And some projects target women specifically. When we plan meetings or organize panel discussions, we aim at gender equality among participants, although this can be quite challenging.

Your memorable experiences as a diplomat in Sri Lanka. How do you navigate these challenges as a woman diplomat?

Switzerland and Sri Lanka enjoy excellent bilateral relations in many fields. This enables my team and myself to engage on the political and economic level, but also through our cooperation in the field of peace promotion, reconciliation, human rights and migration. I particularly appreciated my trips to different regions of Sri Lanka where we met numerous men and women representing the diversity of the country. Their engagement in promoting prosperity and unity of Sri Lanka is remarkable. I do not think that these meetings are different because I am a woman, but I was particularly touched when I met the immensely strong women of the families of the disappeared in the North and the South. Their strength and resilience are truly impressive.

Your likes and dislikes in Sri Lanka. What are your memorable moments as a diplomat ?

Sri Lanka is a beautiful and amazing country in so many ways. Its cultures, landscapes, wildlife, but also the hospitality of its people and the food are truly special. Travelling in Sri Lanka is a great pleasure, and I am glad that many Swiss tourists enjoy this experience as well.

In our work on dealing with the past and peace promotion, we are of course also acknowledging the tragic legacy of the civil war and other violent episodes which are part of the country’s past. The courage of men and women dealing with these issues is very inspiring. It encourages us to work together with them towards a united and peaceful Sri Lanka.

Elegant and chic at the Swiss National Day

From the magnitude of events around the world today, what do you think are the biggest challenges Switzerland will face in the next decade?

In today’s world we are indeed facing numerous challenges, not only for Switzerland, but for humanity in general. Major conflicts are raging in different parts of the world, causing incredible human suffering. Geopolitical tensions in general are increasing, making our world more insecure and volatile. Also, climate change, food insecurity and global health issues need common efforts on a global level. Like all countries Switzerland is trying to navigate this changing environment and contribute to solutions. We particularly focus on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and humanitarian issues, the promotion of peace and a rules based global order in general.

And being located at the heart of Europe, Switzerland needs stable relations with our European neighbors with whom we share close cultural, economic and security ties.

During your time as Ambassador in Sri Lanka , is there a project close to your heart that you’d get it done?

At the moment, I hope that we can establish close ties with the new government which enable us to work together in areas of common interest to strengthen our economic ties, continue our successful migration partnership and contribute to a Sri Lanka which is united in its diversity.

Tell us about a time when your professional and family responsible came into conflict?

Combining professional and private life as a diplomat can indeed be challenging, for women as for men. Dual careers are hard to achieve and children are not always enthusiastic if they have to change schools and friends in regular intervals. I am lucky to have a family that was and is ready to make compromises and grow as much as possible from this fascinating but demanding life as a diplomatic family.

Have you ever been subject to harassment or discrimination and if so how do you handle it?

Discrimination is often subtle. Bosses might be unhappy if you are less flexible with a small child. Or people wonder if you really are tough enough for the job. What I regret sometimes is that men see their female colleagues as competitors, not as partners. We need men and women to create a diverse and successful working environment.

Can you share a formative experience that helped your leadership vision or style?

We can only achieve our goals working as a team and we should focus on the strengths of each member of the team. I think it is important to have inspiring mentors. I always enjoyed and learnt a lot from more experienced colleagues or superiors. I share this knowledge and experience with the colleagues around me.

What has been the biggest factor in your success? What was most difficult obstacle?

My parents have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, my family has provided the support to continue my career and my friends have been there in times of need. I am also grateful for the coaching by female mentors who can help to navigate a working environment dominated by men.