Presentation of credentials of H.E. Ms. Tamara Kunanayakam
Posted on August 15th, 2011

THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST

REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA TO THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN GENEVA

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ H.E. Ms. Tamara Kunanayakam presented her credentials to H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva on the 9th of August 2011, accrediting her as Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Welcoming the new Ambassador to the credential ceremony, the Director General commended the role played by Sri Lanka in the United Nations System, including the countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s contribution to the UN peace keeping force. Mr. Tokayev also said that Sri Lanka has a great deal of respect within the multilateral system. In response, the Ambassador reiterated Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s firm commitment to the UN Charter and to the multilateral system, recalled Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s role, as promoter of the Non-Aligned Movement, in further developing the principles contained therein, and assured of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s continued role in promoting and defending that system as the appropriate framework to resolve problems affecting humanity, through dialogue and international cooperation.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ H.E. Ms. Tamara Kunanayakam earlier served as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Cuba and also served as Minister Counsellor at the Sri Lankan Embassy in BrasƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚­lia. Prior to her assignment at Sri Lankan Missions abroad, the Ambassador served as the Secretary to the Working Group on the Right to Development, the Working Group on structural adjustment programmes and economic, social and cultural rights, and also that on enforced and involuntary disappearances, at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). H.E. Ms. Kunanayakam was also attached to the ILO and UNDP.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

Geneva

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 10 August 2011

11 Responses to “Presentation of credentials of H.E. Ms. Tamara Kunanayakam”

  1. geoff Says:

    Wise move. She is very good.

  2. Wickrama Says:

    Will she be under pressure from international LTTE rump/Tamil diaspora?

  3. Ben_silva Says:

    I am a bit concerned. She has her Tamil trade mark Pottu written all over her face. Looks like we only have LTTE agents to represent Lanka ?

  4. Marco Says:

    Ben Silva,
    Thats an awful comment.
    I thought you had more sense- I was wrong.

    From that comment you are insinuating all Tamils are LTTE agents.

    No doubt, if she does not live upto expectations in a tough assignment, unfounded criticism will be heaped on her.

    Dayan Jayatilleka is very impressed with her capabilities and credentials.

  5. Ben_silva Says:

    My apologies to Marco if I offended him. I did not imply that all Tamils are LTTE agents. Tamils in UN such as Pothu Coomaraswamy and Pillay have been anti Sri Lanka. I made that comment going on past History and also evidence that some GA’s and also also some suspect, some embassy staff have been LTTE agents. Balancing that some great Sri Lankans are Tamils as well. It was a careless comment and should not be taken too seriously. I do not know her background. But we need to keep an eye on her. Our reps abroad should represemt Lanka and not a particular ethnic group. Some one wearing a Pottu worries me. I know Tamil ladies but they do not wear Pottus.

  6. Dilrook Says:

    Looks like the government is following a strategic approach to the challenges it faces. Next month the UNHRC meets and Sri Lanka may be in their agenda. If not it will be in the agenda next March. Tamara built a strong cordial relationship with Latin American countries – Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, etc. If a vote is called at the UNHRC, Latin American countries hold the key. Holding a high UN office helps.

  7. hela puwath Says:

    Hell of a risk!

  8. gamunu6 Says:

    Thanks people for your comments: BUT I HAVE TO DISAGREE!!

    This is a fine opportunity for Govt. of Sri Lanka to prove to the Int. Community, Tamils, & other doubters, that we mean what we say.

    She has contributed to our Motherland as Ambassador in Cuba, Brazil & other lartin American cuntries. As such our Sri Lankan govt: had a chance to test her metal as it were, and decided to cofer this honour to her. If the Govt. had any doubts or concerns about her being a Tamil & from the minority community, she would not have given this oppotunity.

    We should not jump to conclusions, just because she is a tamil, she might /or NOT turn herself into a closet LTTE supporter. She too must be educated enough to present herself as a person who is there to reflect the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka.

    Why not give her a chance to excel in her post, before writing unhealthy remarks. We had exemplorary FOREIGN MINISTER named Laksman Kathiraganam ( late , as he was gunned down by Tamil tigers).. I may be wrong in writing his last name, as I am not so familiar with spelling.

    That learned interlectual earned praise from ALL communities in Sri Lanka & the Int. community. So lets give this lady a chance, so that she too will do great pride to her job assignment & to the Motherland.

    Thanks very much for the oppotunity to express my unbiased views about this matter.

    I encourage my friends to be patient & see what happens in a year or two. Also its unfair to critize someone, EVEN before she starts her new assignment. We always beleive in giving somebody a fair chance, this is a fundemental principle.

    Thanks all!! ~Gamunu Alahakkone. P. Eng Canada, C. Eng UK (retired Engineer).

  9. Chintha Says:

    Is she firends with the anti SL Tamil women in UN ? That is the question here. Yes we are suspicious, that is fine. Keep an eye on her.

  10. hela puwath Says:

    Will Tamara Kunanayakam do what Dayan Jayatillake did in Geneva in 2009?

    What we need, at this stage, is a Dayan Jayatillake, not a G.L. Peris. Hopefully Tamara Kunanayakam is a Dayan Jayatillake type, or even better, a Lakshman Kadiragamar type.

    Can anyone say that our unease is unfounded or unjust, knowing the likes of Radhika Kumaraswamy?

  11. ranjith Says:

    Almost all the tamil diplomats who work in overseas have close relationship with tamil terrorists. Most of the tamil diplomat’s relatives in overseas have anti-Sri Lankan mentality. They participate those terrorists’ conferences, parties, meetings, etc.

    In my opinion, definetely she will join with Radhika, Pillai, etc.

    I wonder what our government is doing?

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