Courtesy The Island

Kananathan

Q : Ambassador Kananathan, your tenure as High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya and concurrently to many African nations has been impactful. As your tenure concludes, how would you summarize your journey and key milestones?

A : My journey has been immensely fulfilling, shaped by both challenges and significant achievements. From the outset, my objective was to enhance Sri Lanka’s diplomatic presence and foster stronger ties with African nations. Reflecting on my tenure, several accomplishments stand out.

One of the most notable achievements was deepening Sri Lanka’s political and economic relations with Africa. This included securing vital support to Sri Lanka from African nations in multilateral forums, enhancing Sri Lanka’s global standing. Additionally, I prioritized facilitating Sri Lankan businesses’ entry into African markets, enabling them to contribute to the continent’s economic growth while expanding Sri Lanka’s footprint.

Another significant accomplishment was increasing Sri Lanka’s diplomatic reach in Africa. When I began, the High Commission in Nairobi was accredited to only four countries. By the end of my tenure, this number had expanded to 22, reflecting the government’s trust in my ability to represent Sri Lanka across this diverse and dynamic region.

Q : Your ability to secure African support for Sri Lanka at multilateral forums has been widely praised. Could you elaborate on your approach to engaging African leaders?

A: During my tenure, I leveraged the close relationships I had cultivated with African leaders over the years to deepen mutual understanding and trust. This foundation enabled me to engage more effectively with key decision-makers at the highest level while gaining a nuanced understanding of the political dynamics unique to each country.I prioritized building strong personal connections with African leaders, having met with 31 heads of state over the past few years.

This approach fostered solidarity with African nations, enabling Sri Lanka to gain their support in multilateral forums. It highlighted the importance of mutual respect and genuine collaboration in diplomacy.

Q ;: You successfully achieved the historic milestone of removing Sri Lanka from Tanzania’s referral visa list. How did you resolve this long-standing issue?

The removal of Sri Lanka from Tanzania’s referral visa list, which had been in effect for over two decades, was a significant achievement. Despite the challenge remaining unresolved by previous ambassadors, I was able to address it effectively by leveraging my political connections and prioritizing high-level engagements with key Tanzanian decision-makers.

Through persistent dialogue and the establishment of mutual trust, I successfully negotiated the removal of this restrictive policy. This change not only eased travel procedures for Sri Lankans but also strengthened bilateral relations and facilitated greater opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses in Tanzania.

Q : Can you share a particularly challenging moment during your tenure and how you overcame it?

A : When I assumed my role at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kenya, the mission was facing significant challenges. The mission had lost credibility, and the local community’s respect had diminished. This was primarily due to internal discord within the mission—conflicts among the previous leadership of the mission and staff had created an environment of division and dysfunction. Consequently, there was no coordination or clarity in pursuing the mission’s objectives, which further damaged its reputation

My immediate focus was on restoring trust and credibility. I resolved internal disputes, improved communication, and emphasized collaboration within the mission. By fostering a unified approach, we regained the community’s support and enhanced the mission’s effectiveness. This transformation not only repaired the High Commission’s image but also enabled us to better serve Sri Lanka’s interests in Kenya and beyond.

Q: You were invited to monitor elections in several African countries. What does this signify for Sri Lanka’s diplomatic influence in the region?

A: This recognition stems from the strong personal relationships I have cultivated with African leaders and governments, Which is an honor and a powerful affirmation of Sri Lanka’s growing diplomatic presence in the region., as well as Sri Lanka’s demonstrated commitment to fostering mutual respect and trust on the international stage. I was the only Sri Lankan Ambassador invited as international observer to multiple African elections was a unique honor and a testament to the strong relationships

It demonstrated that our engagement extended beyond political and economic partnerships to include shared principles of governance and mutual respect.

Q : You played a key role in introducing Sri Lankan businesses to Africa in sectors such as renewable energy, tea, and logistics. How did you achieve this, and what has been the impact?

A : My focus was on identifying opportunities where Sri Lankan expertise could align with Africa’s developmental needs. By collaborating with both Sri Lankan and African stakeholders, I facilitated the entry of 17 major Sri Lankan companies into African markets.

This not only generated employment for Sri Lankans in Africa but also strengthened Sri Lanka’s economic ties with the continent. Sectors like renewable energy, tea production, construction, and logistics benefited from these initiatives, creating win-win scenarios for both regions.

Q:Before your tenure as High Commissioner, you held advisory roles with African governments. Could you share details about these positions and the contributions you made.

A : Of course. I was honored to serve in key advisory roles with African governments, where I contributed to shaping strategic initiatives for economic progress.

One of my significant positions was as an Advisor on Investments to former President Prof. Alpha Condé of Guinea. In this capacity, I played a pivotal role in identifying and promoting investment opportunities that bolstered Guinea’s economic growth. My work primarily focused on critical sectors such as mining, infrastructure, and energy—areas that are essential to the country’s sustainable development.

In addition, I served as an Advisor to the Department of Major Works and Strategic Investments in the Central African Republic, working closely with the President of the country. This role allowed me to contribute to the planning and execution of projects aimed at enhancing the nation’s infrastructure and economic landscape.

These experiences not only strengthened my understanding of Africa’s development potential but also enabled me to forge meaningful partnerships that have facilitated deeper investment and economic collaboration between Sri Lanka and Africa.

Q : The launch of Sri Lankan Airlines flights to Kenya was another landmark achievement. What was its significance?

A : The introduction of Sri Lankan Airlines flights to Kenya was a strategic move to enhance connectivity and promote regional trade. The flights facilitated the export of Kenyan horticultural products to Sri Lanka for transshipment to Australia, showcasing Sri Lanka’s role as a logistics hub.

Although the service is currently paused due to operational constraints, it demonstrated the potential for Sri Lanka to strengthen its global trade connections through strategic partnerships with Africa.

Q: What do you consider your greatest contribution to Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and relations with Africa?

A : Expanding Sri Lanka’s diplomatic presence in Africa and fostering meaningful relationships with its leaders has been my most significant contribution. By promoting business ties, enhancing political engagement, and securing African support in multilateral forums, I laid a strong foundation for future diplomatic and economic cooperation.

Q; Now that your tenure has ended, how do you plan to continue contributing to Sri Lanka-Africa relations?

A ; While I have stepped down as High Commissioner, my commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka-Africa ties remains unwavering. Through my business ventures and networks, I will continue facilitating opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in Africa.

I have also established a one-stop center to streamline the process for businesses entering African markets, ensuring minimal bureaucracy and maximum efficiency. My focus remains on building lasting connections that benefit both regions.

Q : Finally, what legacy would you like to leave, and what is your vision for the future of Sri Lanka’s engagement with Africa?

A : My legacy would be that of a diplomat who dedicated immense effort to deepening Sri Lanka’s ties with Africa, not only through political engagement but also by fostering business and investment collaborations. I firmly believe that diplomacy requires an active and dynamic approach—seeking opportunities rather than waiting for them to arise. I took deliberate steps to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and streamline processes that often hinder progress. By cultivating personal relationships with political leaders and key stakeholders, I was able to facilitate meaningful dialogues that led to concrete outcomes. In a globalized world, it is imperative to be proactive and ensure Sri Lanka benefits from the immense potential of emerging markets.

Strengthening and sustaining relations with Africa demands a strong commitment, continuous engagement, and mutual respect. I hope that the progress made during my tenure will not only endure but serve as a foundation for further collaboration. I take pride in the achievements accomplished within a short span and hope Sri Lanka continues to harness the expanding opportunities Africa offers. As Africa’s economic potential continues to grow, Sri Lanka must focus on building mutually advantageous partnerships, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and sustainable development.