Sept 09, Colombo: Ambassadors from five countries presented their credentials to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

The new United States Ambassador, Robert O. Blake, Jr., comes from the post of Chargé D'affaires at the US Embassy in India to succeed Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead.

Ambassador Kiyoshi Araki held the post of Director General of the International Affairs Department in the House of Councilors of the Diet in Japan before being appointed the new Ambassador to Sri Lanka. He succeeds Ambassador Akio Suda.

Both countries have played a significant role in Sri Lanka’s recent past as co-chairs of Sri Lanka’s donor community.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga were also present at the occasion.

Mr. Kiyoshi Araki, Ambassador of Japan

Mr. Fahid Hajar Shaouf Al-Mutairi, Ambassador of Kuwait

Mr. Rogelio Granguillhome, Ambassador of Mexico

Mrs. Ruth Flint-Ledergerber, Ambassador of Switzerland

Mr. Robert O. Blake, Jr., Ambassador of the United States of America