the permanent mission of sri lanka to the united nations office at geneva was established in june 1965. the first ambassador/permanent representative of sri lanka (then ceylon), mr rex koelmeyer presented credentials on 23 june 1965.the present ambassador/permanent representative h.e. mr. ravinatha aryasinha presented credentials on 19 july 2012. the mission functions as the permanent delegation of sri lanka to all un and other international organizations in switzerland including the world trade organization. it also has concurrent accreditation as sri lanka's embassy to the holy see.the mission represents sri lanka's national interests in various un and other international organizations based in switzerland. the consulate general of sri lanka, housed in the mission premises, provides various consular assistance to the approximately 35,000-strong sri lankan community in switzerland. the sri lanka embassy in germany has concurrent accreditation to switzerland.