Anura Withanage

Ambassador
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

His Excellency Mr. Anura Withanage serves as the Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Lebanese Republic, with concurrent accreditation to the Syrian Arab Republic.

Ambassador Withanage brings to his diplomatic appointment over three decades of distinguished international experience in public administration, financial management, governance, strategic leadership, and institutional development across Sri Lanka and Canada. Throughout his career, he has held senior executive positions in government, the financial services sector, and community organizations, earning a reputation for excellence in public sector management, fiscal stewardship, and organizational leadership.

He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, a Postgraduate Diploma in Devolution and Local Government from the University of Colombo, and completed the Executive Certified Management Accountant (CMA) programme through Simon Fraser University and the CMA British Columbia Chapter, Canada. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Canada.

Prior to assuming his diplomatic duties, Ambassador Withanage served in senior leadership and executive finance roles with the Governments of British Columbia and Yukon, as well as with leading international financial institutions, including the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and HSBC Bank Canada. He also held executive positions within Canada's community and non-profit sector, where he was responsible for strategic financial management, governance, corporate planning, infrastructure development, risk management, and organizational transformation.

Drawing upon his extensive international experience, Ambassador Withanage is committed to advancing Sri Lanka's foreign policy objectives by further strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka, Lebanon, and Syria. His priorities include promoting economic diplomacy, expanding bilateral trade and investment, enhancing tourism and cultural exchanges, fostering business partnerships, and deepening people-to-people ties. He also places particular emphasis on safeguarding the welfare, rights, and well-being of Sri Lankan nationals residing and working in Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic while delivering efficient and responsive consular services.

As Sri Lanka's representative in Lebanon and Syria, Ambassador Withanage continues to work closely with government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, the private sector, and the Sri Lankan community to build enduring partnerships that contribute to mutual prosperity, regional cooperation, and stronger bilateral relations.

Ambassador
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka