24th Convocation of the BIDTI

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The 24th Convocation of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) was held on Friday, 28th October 2022 at the BMICH under the patronage of the Hon. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He was accompanied by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs M. U. M. Ali Sabry,
the Hon. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Aruni Yasodha Wijewardane.
Delivering the Keynote address, the Prime Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s greatest asset and strength has been "a solid civilisation that runs into over 25 Centuries and a well cultured human resource that was highly skilled and was able to manage the East and West throughout history and create wonders in the world". Hence it is necessary to equip the country’s representatives abroad with the skills to face challenges that have arisen nationally and internationally.
In his address the Minister of Foreign Affairs giving a brief history of the BIDTI, congratulated all awardees and thanked the BIDTI for its efforts.
The Convocation ceremony consisted of awardees from academic years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 who received their awards amidst the presence of a distinguished audience comprising of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Sri Lanka, representatives of International Organisations, former Foreign Secretaries and Ambassadors as well as officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the former Attorney General, former Secretary of Parliament and visiting lecturers of the BIDTI.
The Prime Minister presented awards to the recipients of the Post Graduate Diploma as well as to the recipients of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Prize, the Vernon Mendis Memorial Prize as well as the Lorna Dewaraja Memorial Prize. The Ceremony continued with awarding certificates by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Aruni Wijewardane.
Over 150 participants of the Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs and 36 participants of the Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs received their awards and certificates at the Convocation.
The BIDTI wishes to congratulate all the awardees.