{{Short description|Sri Lankan ambassador (born 1968)}
| His Excellency Nimal Bandara | |
|---|---|
 Nimal Bandara.jpg | |
| Born | Menik Hitihamy Mudiyanselage Nimal Bandara April 4, 1968 Badulla |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Sri Lanka |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Sri Jayewardenepura |
| 💼 Occupation | Diplomat |
| 📆 Years active | 2000–present |
Menik Hitihamy Mudiyanselage Nimal Bandara (born 4 April 1968) is a Sri Lankan diplomat, author, and journalist, currently serving as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Israel.[1]
Early life and education
Bandara was born in Badulla, Sri Lanka. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and holds an MSc in Information Management from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT).[2] He has also received professional training in India, China, Malaysia, and the United States.
Diplomatic career
Bandara joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 2000. He has served in various diplomatic capacities, including:
- Second Secretary, Beijing
- First Secretary, The Hague
- Deputy High Commissioner, Islamabad [3]
- Director, SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu[4]
- Consul General, Sydney [5]
- Consul General, Nicosia [6]
He was later appointed Director General of the East Asia and SAARC Divisions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[7]
Ambassador to Israel
Bandara assumed his current post in May 2023 after presenting credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.[8]
During the Israel–Gaza conflict, Bandara played a key role in safeguarding Sri Lankan nationals. Over 11,000 Sri Lankans were advised on safety measures. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
In 2023–24, he oversaw labour cooperation initiatives that enabled hundreds of Sri Lankans to join the Israeli construction sector.[16][17][18]
Authorship
In September 2024, Bandara published Mahanuwara Rajyathanthrika Sambandatha, a 494-page academic work on the diplomatic history of the Kingdom of Kandy (1582–1815).[19]
He is also the author of several other titles in Sinhala including:
Adventure Stores for Young Readers:
- Nelli Kale Weerayoo (නෙල්ලි කැලේ වීරයෝ) 1990 (ISBN No: 9789556562903)
- Galge Kanda (ගල්ගේ කන්ද) 1993 (ISBN No: 9789556564235)
- Vana Rajadahana (වන රජදහන) 1996 (ISBN No: 9789556564228)
- Samuduru Mekshala (සමුදුරු මේඛලා) 1999 (ISBN No: 9789559348671)
- Rangiri Arana ( රන්ගිරිඅරණ) 2022 (ISBN No: 9786245683376)
Travel Memories:
- Nonimi Tharuna Charikaa (නොනිමි තරුණ චාරිකා) 1999
- Nomakena Afrikanu Mathakayan (නොමැකෙන අප්රිකානු මතකයන්) 2022
Translations:
- Brithanyayan liyu sabaa Uva Ithihasaya (බ්රිතාන්යයන් ලියූ සැබෑ ඌව ඉතිහාසය) 2022
- Lankave Brithanya Hamuda Kriyanvithayanhi Swarnamaya Yugaya (ලංකාවේ බ්රිතාන්ය හමුදා ක්රියාන්විතයන්හි ස්වර්ණමය යුගය) 2022
History:
- Mahanuvara Rajadhaniye Rajyathanthrika Sabadatha (මහනුවර රාජධානියේ රාජ්යතාන්ත්රික සබඳතා) 2024
These works are published by Sooriya Publishers and are referenced in literary discussions on platforms like eLanka.[20]
Bandara has contributed essays and op-eds to Sri Lankan newspapers on historical, diplomatic, and cultural themes.[21][22][23]
References
- ↑ "The New Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel Nimal Bandara presents Credentials to Israel President Isaac Herzog". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ "The New Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel Nimal Bandara presents Credentials to Israel President Isaac Herzog – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism". Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ Newspaper, From the (2011-03-23). "Buddhist relics awe Sri Lankan delegation". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
- ↑ Iqbal, Mohammed (2016-10-14). "Sufism can act as an antidote to terrorism: Arjun Ram Meghwal". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Boost Your Business: Don't Miss the Trade Promotional Event in Queensland!". 2020-03-13. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
- ↑ "Cyprus, Sri Lanka enhance bilateral relations". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
- ↑ "The New Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel Nimal Bandara presents Credentials to Israel President Isaac Herzog – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism". Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Ambassador of Sri Lanka Meets Chairperson of Israel – Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group". Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "8,000 Sri Lankans in Israel so far willing to stay on; 27 leave northern Gaza". EconomyNext. 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ Timsit, Annabelle; Shih, Gerry; Berger, Miriam; Balousha, Hazem; DeYoung, Karen; Brown, Cate; Bisset, Victoria (2023-10-11). "People from 35 countries killed, missing in Israel-Gaza war: What to know". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ Walpola, Thilina (2023-11-05). "Ambassador Nimal Bandara: Lankan nationals trapped in Gaza Strip granted exit via Rafah Border crossing". Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ "Sri Lankan Ambassador confirms safety of Sri Lankans amid Israel conflict". Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "Over 11,000 Sri Lankans in Israel Advised to Stay Safe". Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "SL workers in Israel unharmed amid Iran missile strikes, Ambassador confirms". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ "Sri Lankan Ambassador urges Sri Lankans in Israel to minimize travel". Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "Celebrating Israel-Sri Lanka ties with a direct flight - comment". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ "447 Sri Lankans to Begin Employment in Israel's Construction Sector". Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "Sri Lankan workers plug gap in Israeli labor force". 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ Walpola, Thilina (2024-09-15). "Ambassador Nimal Bandara to launch book on Kandy's Diplomatic History". Retrieved 2025-05-25.
- ↑ "Book Launch by Nimal Bandara". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
- ↑ Bandara, Nimal. "Gods, Goddesses, Sun, Moon and us: Literature on astrology". Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ Bandara, Nimal. "Monumental mount: Historical legends of Narangala mountain range". Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka women's contribution to diplomacy and international relations". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
This article "Nimal Bandara (Diplomat)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Nimal Bandara (Diplomat). Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
