Ambassador and Permanent Representative Dayani Mendis presented Letters of Credence to Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at the Vienna International Center, Monica Juma on 30 June 2026. Ekaterina Kolykhalova, Regional Section for South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, Division for Operations and Kyo Park, of the Office of the Director General accompanied the Director General Juma. Minister Counsellor Mahesh Gunawardene and Counsellor Neetha Chandrasena accompanied the Ambassador and Permanent Representative.

Presenting the Letters of Credence, Ambassador and Permanent Representative extended the warm greetings and best wishes of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and reaffirmed her commitment to further strengthen the close cooperation and engagement with the UN Agencies in Vienna. She also congratulated Director General Juma on her appointment to her present office on 13 May 2026. 

The Ambassador recalled Sri Lanka’s longstanding relationship with the United Nations, since 1955 and the completion of 70 years of membership in 2025. She noted the continuous engagement with the UN agencies in particular, with the UNODC which remains a critical partner for Sri Lanka in view of the focus of the present government of Sri Lanka on combating corruption, drug abuse and crimes as well as upholding rule of law in the country.

Welcoming the Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Director‑General Juma recalled her previous positive engagement with Sri Lanka. She expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s continued multilateral cooperation and engagement with UNODC, emphasizing that success should ultimately be measured by tangible impact on the ground — safer communities, stronger protection, and greater prosperity.

 
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Vienna

02 July 2026