Career diplomat Esala Weerakoon is to assume duties as the new Foreign Ministry Secretary today. 

He will succeed Chithrangani Wageaswara who is retirimy from service. 

Weerakoon is the son of former senior civil servant Bradman Weerakoon.

Weerakoon studied at Royal College, Colombo and the University of Kelaniya. He also undertook post-graduate studies at London School of Economics. 

Joining the foreign service in 1988, he served in several foreign postings in London, Canberra, Kuala Lumpur and Paris. He served as Charge d’ Affaires at Sri Lanka Embassies in Washington DC and in Tokyo. During his tenure of service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he has served in different capacities including as the Director General of Economic Affairs Division and the Director General of East Asia & Pacific Division. He has also held office as Additional Secretary (External Relations) at the Ministry of Economic Development and as Additional Secretary (Special Projects) at the Ministry of Housing & Samurdhi.