COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s first Muslim woman ambassador officially started her duties this week as she presented her credentials in Qatar.

A career diplomat, Roshan Sithara Khan Azard joined Sri Lanka’s foreign service in 1998 and has served in various capacities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the most recent post being additional secretary for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Prior to her assumption of duties in Qatar, she served at Sri Lanka’s missions in London, Chennai and Ottawa, where she was the deputy high commissioner and acting high commissioner. She has also served in Qatar before as deputy head of the mission.

“We are happy we have sent a seasoned diplomat, Sithara Khan, as Sri Lankan ambassador to the state of Qatar,” Niluka Kadirgammuwa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Arab News.

“(She) is the first Muslim female ambassador to represent Sri Lanka.”

In 1998, after passing exams, she was also the first Muslim woman to join the island nation’s foreign service.

“It is important to believe in yourself and equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and skills which will help in taking you to greater heights,” she told Arab News.

The ambassador presented her letter of credence to Qatar Emir Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Monday, marking the beginning of her diplomatic mission.

“It is indeed an honor to be the first woman ambassador for Sri Lanka in Qatar,” she said.

“I will do my very best to serve the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Qatar and strengthen and enhance the bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Qatar.”