Palihakkara, new Northern Governor; seasoned diplomat Dhanapala appointed Presidential Advisor on Foreign Affairs

H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, a retired Foreign Secretary and diplomat, has been appointed the new Governor of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, replacing retired army officer, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, sources at the Presidential Secretariat confirmed on Tuesday.

Along with this appointment, President Maithripala Sirisena appointed another respected diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala as his Senior Advisor on Foreign Affairs with effect from January 12.

With reference to Mr. Dhanapala’s new role, the Cargills Group announced that Mr. Dhanapala who was a non-executive, independent director at the company for the past 6 ½ years has resigned from the board in view of his new assignment.

Mr. Palihakkara was a member of the Mahinda Rajapaksa-appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) which recommended several measures aimed at reconciliation, healing and winning the hearts and minds of the Tamil-dominated north. – ENDS -