PRESS RELEASE
First woman Ambassador Chaminda Colonne of Sri Lanka to Suriname presented her Letters of Credence to the President Jennifer Geerlings - Simons of Suriname
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 the 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 of Sri Lanka to President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of Suriname.
The ceremony was included with the guard of honor 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 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 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 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 Michaёl 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).
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Brasilia, Brazil
25th August 2026