The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany was honoured to felicitate equestrian Ms. Mathilda Thanuja Karlsson, who will be representing Sri Lanka at the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Sri Lankan-born Ms. Mathilda Karlsson grew up in Sweden with her adoptive Swedish family and is currently living in Hamburg, Germany. Due to her close affinity to Sri Lanka, she obtained Swedish-Sri Lankan dual citizenship, which paved the way for her to represent Sri Lanka at the upcoming Olympic Games and was the first Sri Lankan to be qualified.
During the event, the Embassy also organized a virtual call with Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports of Sri Lanka, who extended his best wishes to Ms.Karlsson at Olympic Games and requested her assistance to promote equestrian sport in Sri Lanka. Whilst thanking the Hon.Minister, Ms.Karlsson conveyed her appreciation for all the support she has received from Sri Lanka and pledged her fullest cooperation.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Germany, Manori Unambuwe conducted an interview with Ms.Karlsson covering her personal life and her journey towards qualifying for the Olympics, which will be released to Sri Lankan media, with a view to providing wider publicity for Ms. Karlsson in the lead up to the Olympic Games.
Mr.Ahamed Razee, Counsellor of the Mission ceremonially handed over the Sri Lankan passport to Ms.Karlsson, which was obtained through the Embassy.
Addressing the staff of the Embassy, Ms.Karlsson thanked them for the warm welcome and the hospitality extended, and the staff wished her every success in her endeavours.
The reception concluded with a luncheon, served with Sri Lankan cuisine.
Embassy of Sri Lanka, Berlin, Germany, 15 June 2021