Mr Rajakaruna took charge as the first Sri Lankan ambassador after the embassy was inaugurated in Bahrain in February 2013.

"The Sri Lankan community is shocked and saddened by his death," Sri Lanka Club president Ravi De Silva said.

"Mr Rajakaruna was known for his effervescent smile, calm composure and simplicity. Within a short time he was able to understand the Sri Lankan societies and groups that functioned in the kingdom during the last three or four decades without an embassy.

"He tasked himself to bring the community of 20,000-plus Sri Lankans under one flag and rally around the Sri Lankan Embassy as high priority. This was not easy, but he met each group and shared his vision and won the confidence of community leaders," he said.

It was during Mr Rajakaruna's tenure that former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa and a trade delegation visited Bahrain.

"The visit was a success and paved the way for growth of bilateral trade between our two countries," Mr De Silva said.

Mr Rajakaruna's tenure was cut short by his illness and he left Bahrain in December last year. He died last Thursday and the funeral was held in Colombo on Saturday. Mr Rajakaruna leaves behind his wife and two children.

(gulf-daily-news.com)