Alaina B. Teplitz, the new US Ambassador to Maldives and Sri Lanka, has presented her credentials to Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena.
Teplitz met with President Sirisena at the president’s official residence in Colombo on Thursday and has already begun her official duties.
I am so pleased to begin my official duties as the U.S. Ambassador to #SriLanka. I look forward to continuing our strong relationship at such a critical time -- and to hearing from all of you @USAmbSLM. pic.twitter.com/6Q9iGueG5z
— USAmbSLM (@USAmbSLM) November 1, 2018
Teplitz was nominated for the position by President Donald Trump on May 24.
She is a diplomat and was earlier the United States Ambassador to Nepal, nominated by President Obama on March 26, 2015 and was confirmed by the Senate on August 5, 2015.
She joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1991. Her initial assignments included ones at the State Department’s Bureau of Administration, as well as international ones in Australia, Albania, and Mongolia.
She was tapped for the role after the end of former ambassador Atul Keshap’s term, which lasted from August 21, 2015, to August 21, this year. During his tenure, ambassador Keshap had repeatedly spoken out against the human rights abuses and political turmoil in Maldives.
