Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Kalutara District parliamentarian and Former Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe is scheduled to take up the post of Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States and Mexico, left vacant by the retirement of Ambassador Ravinatha Aryawansa on 29th of this month (November).
Samarasinghe resigned from his post as a Member of Parliament with effect from 25th of this month.
“Although I am taking a brief hiatus after thirty-three years of active politics, I do so not with a view to personal gain but, rather, in order to render productive and fruitful service to the country. My main goal is to utilize my years of international experience to uplift the profile and status of the country. I also reassure the people of Kalutara, whose consistent support has enabled me to attain whatever I have achieved in the political sphere, of my enduring respect and my continuous commitment to them. …I take leave of Parliament and expect to assume duties in Washington DC on 29 November,” Samarasinghe in a statement said.
He read for an Honours degree in economics at La Trobe University in Australia and qualified as an economist. In prior to joining active politics, he joined with Sri Lanka Overseas Service, serving as First Secretary in the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra. Thereafter, He served in the capacity of Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the
United Nations in Geneva.