The Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Ambassador Perera presented his credentials to the Emperor of Japan His Majesty Naruhito, in January 2023.
Ambassador Perera brings with him four decades of professional education, research, global travel, speaking opportunities, and interactions concerning Sri Lanka’s relations with the rest of the world.
In a diplomatic career since 1988, Ambassador Perera plays vital roles in bringing together key personalities from the political, business, academic, civil society and media spheres to address issues of importance for Sri Lanka in bilateral, regional and multilateral discussions. Having worked across all regions of the world, and carried out research, he possesses a uniquely global perspective in the realm of international relations vis-à-vis Sri Lanka. He is well versed in areas such as sustainable development, counterterrorism, financial and transnational crime, conflict resolution, disaster management and climate change.
Ambassador Perera attended St. Joseph’s College of Colombo, representing the school in Cricket and Track & Field. After spending a year in Tokyo to study computer programming, he went on to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems and later, a Master of Arts Degree in International Studies from Columbia University in New York. He has also completed specialized study programs at Harvard University in Massachusetts and the National Defence University in Washington DC.
After recruitment to the Foreign Service, Ambassador Perera served in many important capacities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several Sri Lanka Missions overseas.
Ambassador Perera has functioned as the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaching the senior most rank of Special Grade in the Sri Lanka Civil Service. He has overseen key areas relating to Political Affairs, Public, Cultural and Economic Diplomacy, Administration, and welfare of Sri Lankan workers overseas, while productively engaging with Sri Lankan communities across the globe.
Ambassador Perera’s first overseas diplomatic assignment was at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo as Second Secretary from 1989 to 1992 when Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino, preceded by the then Prime Minister of Japan, Hon. Toshiki Kaifu, undertook visits to Sri Lanka. He also assisted in the visits to Japan by Former Presidents D.B. Wijetunga to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of His Majesty Emperor Akihito, and J.R. Jayewardene to be honoured for his momentous speech at the San Francisco Conference in 1951 to conclude the Treaty of Peace with Japan.
He went on to serve as First Secretary of Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York; Acting High Commissioner of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya and as Permanent Representative to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat).
He was Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Rome, Italy while concurrently functioning as Ambassador to Greece and Albania, High Commissioner to Cyprus and Malta, as well as Permanent Representative to the Rome-based Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Program (WFP) and Governor at the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). He also served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Oslo, Norway during the penultimate phase of the Norwegian peace facilitation process in his country.
Ambassador Perera was in Brussels as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union for almost five years, playing a major role in regaining the EU GSP+ trade benefit for Sri Lanka. He also represented Sri Lanka at NATO, OECD, and the European Investment Bank. In his last overseas assignment, Mr. Perera served as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States of America in Washington D.C. until the end of 2020 while also coordinating the country’s consultations with the IMF and World Bank.
For two years until assuming duties in Tokyo, he led research projects encompassing the pre-historic period, the political and cultural history and the evolution of international relations of Sri Lanka from ancient times.
Among the recognitions he has received for his professional work is the “Grande Ufficiale—Ordine della Stella della Solidarietá” (Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity—highest Italian civilian honour), bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic for his productive tenure in Rome.
His interests are following important historical developments of the world, current world affairs, major sports, playing cricket and golf, and cooking, including baking.
