Presentation of Credentials Ceremony, 29 September 2026

The following foreign Heads of Mission presented their credentials to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in separate ceremonies at the Istana today:

1. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand

Her Excellency Waraphannee Damrongmanee

2. The Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania

Her Excellency Renata Jasilionytė

3. The Ambassador of Ireland

His Excellency Damien Cole

Their bio summaries are attached.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

29 SEPTEMBER 2026

Ambassador Waraphannee Damrongmanee is a career diplomat who previously served as Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand from 2025 to 2026. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Thammasat University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Chiang Mai University.

Throughout her distinguished foreign service career, Ambassador Waraphannee has undertaken extensive overseas assignments, including Minister at the Royal Thai Embassy in Moscow (2020–2024), Deputy Consul-General in Qingdao (2015–2017), First Secretary in Canberra (2004–2007), and Consul in Penang (1998–2001). At headquarters, she served as Secretary of the Department of Consular Affairs (2017–2019), Head of the Chiang Mai Passport Office (2013–2015), and Head of the Northern and Southern Europe Section (2007–2012). 

In recognition of her dedicated public service, she was bestowed the prestigious royal decoration of Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.

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Ambassador Renata Jasilionytė is a career diplomat who joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania in 1998. Prior to her appointment as Ambassador to Singapore, Ambassador Jasilionytė served as Chief Counsellor at the Indo-Pacific Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Jasilionytė has also served in various positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including as Director of the Sanctions Directorate and in the Regional Asian Affairs Department. Her career also included diplomatic assignments at the Embassy of Lithuania in the United States, the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, and the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union.

Ambassador Jasilionytė holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations (1997) and a Master's degree in European Studies (1999) from the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University.

She received a Medal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania for Meritorious Diplomatic Service (2025).

Ambassador Jasilionytė speaks English, French, and Russian.

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Ambassador Damien Cole is a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience in the Irish foreign service. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Singapore, Ambassador Cole served as Ambassador of Ireland to Japan from 2022 to 2026.

Ambassador Cole was previously Ambassador of Ireland to Egypt from 2015 to 2017, with concurrent accreditation to Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, and  Ambassador to Vietnam from 2011 to 2015, with concurrent accreditation to Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Ambassador Cole has held various appointments at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, including Director of the Middle East and North Africa Unit, Director of the Policy Planning Unit, and Director of Bilateral Programmes in Development Co-operation Division. He has also served as Head of the Political Section at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York, and at the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow.

Ambassador Cole graduated from University College Cork and holds a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy from SOAS University of London. He is married with two children and enjoys cycling, running, and reading history.

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