The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Austria, Dayani Mendis, presented her Letters of Credence to the Federal President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen on 1 July 2026 at the “Maria Theresia Room” in the Hofburg Presidential Palace in Vienna. The ceremony included a Guard of Honour in the inner courtyard of the palace and a courtesy call on the Federal President of Austria following the presentation of credentials.   

During the presentation of Credentials, Ambassador Mendis conveyed to the Federal President of Austria, warm greetings and best wishes from the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Disanayaka. She reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further enhance and strengthen the longstanding friendship and bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Austria and expressed the wish to explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in the economic side for the mutual benefit of the two countries.  

Federal President Van der Bellen conveyed his warm greetings to President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and congratulated Ambassador Mendis on her appointment. Observing that there were areas of mutual interest for the two countries to work together, he expressed confidence in the expansion of cooperation between the two countries and strengthening of bilateral relations in the future.

Ambassador Mendis joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 2000. She has held senior positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism as well as at Sri Lanka Missions overseas including in Washington DC, Canberra, Vienna and Geneva where she served as Deputy Permanent Representative. Prior to her appointment as Ambassador, she served as Actg. Additional Secretary of the United Nations and Human Rights Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Ambassador Mendis holds a Masters Degree in International Politics from the School of International Service of American University in Washington D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in English from the University of Colombo. She is a past pupil of Ladies College, Colombo.         

Minister Counsellor, Mahesh Gunwardena accompanied the Ambassador to the ceremony.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Vienna

03 July 2026