A welcome and farewell for colleagues

Islamabad
When you are new in town, it’s a good feeling when you are welcomed and introduced to some prominent members of the community and this has been the practice of the ambassador of Argentina, Rodolfo Martin-Saravia - he regularly hosts a dinner for his new colleagues in the diplomatic corps.
This time around the dinner was in honour of the high commissioner of Canada, Heather Cruden; the head of mission of the Sultanate of Oman, Ahmed Khamis Salim Al-Jamri and the ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, Adel Elarbi. In addition the event was also to bid farewell to high commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Srilanka, Air Chief Marshall (r) Jayalath Weerakkody and spouse Kumari.
The dinner was attended by Additional Secretary Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Burhan-Ul-Islam and Madam; Chief of Protocol, Moin-ul-Haque and Mrs Moin; Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, Adriano Chiodi Cianfarani; Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mustapha Salahdine; Ambassador of Romania, Emilian Ion; . Consul General of Peru, ambassador Tarik Afridi and his wife Cristina; Chairman PIA, Nasser Jaffer; MNA PML (Q) Kashmala Tariq and Chairman Board of Directors; ICONDOR Telecom (Pvt) Ltd Oubay Atassi with political entities; businessmen; analysts and others making up the rest of the extensive guest list.
In his introductory address to the guests, the host thanked them for accepting his invitation; welcomed the new comers and said a few words of about the outgoing Sri Lankan envoy and how he had been a good friend. After this he introduced all the guests by name and occupation, adding a little humour to the narrative by passing a few personal remarks - not to be repeated – which was a nice touch.
Jayalath Weerakkody responded by thanking his host for arranging the dinner and said he valued his friendship and that of others in the diplomatic community because, being an ‘outsider,’ and not very clued up on diplomacy, he had received support and learned a lot from his colleagues. “I have had a very memorable tenure in Pakistan and I am sorry to leave,” he said, “but I hope the friends I have made will visit me in Sri Lanka.” During dinner, he had some interesting things to say about solar energy, which could serve as a model for Pakistan when - and if – we have regular electricity!
When asked whether guests would like tea and coffee outside, where the dinner was held (under a canopy), the unanimous reply was, “Inside” as by now it was getting a little chilly! Sipping their hot beverage, guests exchanged name cards and got to know each other a little better before calling it a day and saying goodnight.