The 23rd Convocation of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute was held on 13th August 2019 conferring Diplomas and Post Graduate Diplomas in Diplomacy and World Affairs with the presence of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gracing the event as the Chief Guest.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board Management of the BIDTI, Tilak Marapana and the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinhe joined the Prime Minister in the ceremony held at the BMICH. Alongside a distinguished gathering comprised of diplomatic corps, members of International organisations and visiting lecturers. Some of which have contributed to imparting their invaluable knowledge and experience to the students during their course of study.
Delivering the inaugural speech Minister Marapana congratulated all the awardees and acknowledged that courses offered at the BIDTI offer invaluable skills and knowledge crucial for engagement worldwide. He expressed his gratitude to all the lecturers including professionals, academics, and military personnel for their efforts as well to foreign institutions for collaborating with the BIDTI in conducting training programmes.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in his keynote address commended the BIDTI for its tireless efforts in enhancing public understanding of global affairs. He also envisioned Sri Lanka’s role in the international arena in the future, where Sri Lanka must leverage its position in the Indian Ocean and look beyond its coastline. Further, enhancing global trade by ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean. He emphasised that Si Lanka should become a key participant in the Blue economy. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of cultural and economic cooperation with all States in order for Sri Lanka to achieve its optimum goals.
Prime Minister along with the Minister and Secretary presented awards and certificates to the prospective recipients of the Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma courses of the academic year 2018/2019.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the recipients of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Prize Maharage Isuru Anushka Perera and the Vernon Mendis Memorial Prize Kushendri Edirisinghe. The awardees evoked a positive learning experience at the BIDTI. From being exposed to a diverse student body to receiving knowledge from highly experienced personnel, resulted in their learning experience at the BIDTI to be an interactive, multifaceted one that enhanced their passion for diplomacy and global affairs.
The BIDTI congratulates all awardees of 2018/2019 and wishes them all the success in their future endeavours!