Honorary consul keen to strengthen ties

By Malum Nalu
Newly-appointed Sri Lankan honorary consul to Papua New Guinea Panditha Bandara says he will do his best to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Bandara, who is head of accounting banking and finance at University of PNG’s school of business administration, was recognised by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato last week as Sri Lanka’s honorary consul.
Aged 67, he has been working in PNG for the last 16 years, and has written 10 text books on business studies, accounting and economics for secondary schools, universities and other tertiary institutions.
Bandara is a member of the governing councils and academic boards of tertiary institutions and has contributed immensely to accounting education in recent years.
He holds a Logohu Award for his contribution to higher education, particularly accounting, over the last 16 years.
Bandara is president of the Sri Lanka-PNG Friendship Association.
“I am planning to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and PNG,” he said.
“There are enough opportunities for both countries, particularly in the field of education, at a time when the Prime Minister (Peter O’Neill) has announced that science and mathematics teachers will be recruited to fill the gap in many secondary schools.
“Sri Lankan teachers have been teaching here for a very long time in the provinces, particularly mathematics and science, so we can strengthen this area.”
Bandara said this would be discussed further when the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to PNG based in Canberra visited the country soon.
“There are other areas like coconut-based industries which Sri Lanka is good in,” he said.
“Technology can be transferred to PNG, and we can bring in investors in this area.
“Sri Lanka also has a strong cultural heritage, which we can share.”