The Government of Sri Lanka has officially resumed its diplomatic presence in Cyprus with the reopening of the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Nicosia. The newly appointed Consul General, U.L. Niyas, arrived in Nicosia on 21 July 2025 to commence the mission’s operations.
Consul General Niyas met with Koula Sophianou, Chief of State Protocol for the Republic of Cyprus, on 22 July and formally presented a copy of his commission of appointment. During the meeting, he explained the circumstances that led to the temporary closure of the consulate and highlighted the Sri Lankan government’s renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through the reopening.
The Chief of State Protocol warmly welcomed the new Consul General and assured the full cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus in supporting the consulate’s re-establishment and operations.
The Consulate General will initially function from a temporary location, with plans to shift to a permanent premises in the near future. It will offer a full range of consular services to the Sri Lankan community and stakeholders in Cyprus. The mission will be operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Turkiye.
Consul General Niyas, a career diplomat joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 2012. He previously served in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service from 2003 to 2011. He has held positions in the Protocol Division, Consular Affairs Division, and the Overseas Mission Administration Division (OMAD) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
He is accompanied in Nicosia by newly appointed Attaché Shantha Seneviratne.
