Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Sisira Senaviarthne, presented his credentials to His Excellency Isaias Afwerki, President of the State of Eritrea, at a ceremony held in Asmara on 4 December 2025.
Following the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Senavirathne was granted an audience with the President of Eritrea, and the meeting was attended by Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, as well.
In congratulating the Sri Lankan Ambassador, President Afwerki highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Eritrea and expressed his keen interest in further strengthening bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. He emphasized the importance of building on the historic ties between the two countries across a broad range of sectors and reaffirmed Eritrea’s commitment to expanding and deepening its relations with Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka to President Afwerki and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation into new areas for the mutual benefit of both countries. Ambassador Senavirathne also expressed the appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Government of Eritrea for the release of six Sri Lankan seafarers who had been detained in Eritrea a few months earlier. President Afwerki noted that the release was the outcome of effective diplomatic engagement and constructive dialogue between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan envoy briefed the President on the recent disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, highlighting its widespread impact across Sri Lanka and the relief measures implemented by the Government. The Ambassador explained that, given the scale of the disaster, the Government is seeking international assistance to support recovery and reconstruction efforts. President Afwerki expressed his condolences to the victims of the cyclone and conveyed the solidarity of the Eritrean people with the people of Sri Lanka, while wishing the country a speedy recovery.
On the sidelines of the credentials presentation, Ambassador Senavirathne met with Ambassador Estifanos Habtemariam Ghebreyesus, Head of the Political Bureau of the Eritrean Foreign Ministry, and Mr. Reda Zero, Director and Advisor to the Foreign Minister, and discussed on a range of matters aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Cairo
18 December 2025
