High Commission of Sri Lanka Participates in Bedford River Festival 2024
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom took part in the Bedford River Festival on July 20-21, 2024, in collaboration with the Association of Professional Sri Lankans in the UK (APSL) by hosting a Sri Lanka Stand featuring Ceylon tea and handcrafts. This is the second time the High Commission participated in the Bedford River Festival, which is held biannually and attracts over 250,000 visitors.
The opening ceremony of the stand on July 20 was graced by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama as the Chief Guest, and Mrs Deepthi Bogollagama and other distinguished guests, including Vice Lord-Lieutenant Christopher Sharwood-Smith MBE and High Sheriff for Bedford, Mr. Bav Shah, and members of the APSL, Sri Lankan Society Bedfordshire, Sri Lanka Leukaemia Foundation and Sri Lanka Medical and Dentists Association in the UK.
After the ceremonious ribbon cutting, High Commissioner Bogollagama reflected on the connections between Bedfordshire and Sri Lanka, the River Festival, and shared insights into Sri Lanka’s rich history in irrigation and waterways, highlighting the parallels and shared heritage between the two nations. He touched upon the current economic progress and stability in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He outlined that Sri Lanka’s participation in the Bedford River Festival will further boost exports to the UK, particularly Ceylon Tea, as well as investment and tourism. He further stated, ‘In 1961, no other tea was found in the UK; 100% market share was ours, and it is our plantation houses that contributed largely to the British economy. The remains of this legacy are still evident in the city of London, and I invite every one of you to join the High Commission as we organize a Ceylon Tea Track.’ High Commissioner Bogollagama also encouraged the Sri Lanka Leukaemia Foundation to enhance its outreach for donations in the UK, especially from UK corporates.
Member of the House of Commons for Bedford and Kempston Mohammad Yasin visited the Sri Lanka Stand and had lengthy discussions with High Commissioner Bogollagama, expressing his support for Sri Lanka. The Mayor of Bedford, His Lordship Tom Wootton, and City Councillor Mohammed Nawaz of Bedford also visited the Sri Lanka Stand later, and enjoyed Sri Lanka’s hospitality with Ceylon Tea and Sri Lankan cookies.
The other highlights of the stand included a special Ceylon Tea tasting and service conducted by Mr. Suranga James Perera, a Professional Tea Taster and Tea Master at the UK Tea Academy, and Mr. Dananjaya Silva, Managing Director of PMD Tea UK Ltd. Ceylon tea brochures were distributed and video visuals were displayed to promote high-grown Ceylon loose teas among thousands of visitors to the High Commission stand. Additionally, videos and leaflets highlighting Sri Lanka as an investment destination were displayed to the visitors. The sale of handcrafted items, particularly Palmyra baskets, donating all proceeds to the Sri Lanka Leukaemia Foundation in the UK.
The festival also featured cultural segments showcasing traditional Sri Lankan dances and drumming, held on July 20 both at the Sri Lanka stand and during a 25-minute cultural segment on the main stage of the festival venue. The welcome speech for the opening ceremony was delivered by Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Minister (Commercial), and the Vote of Thanks was given by Mr. Seniya Punchinilame, Third Secretary of the High Commission. This event was a testament to the efforts of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London in promoting Sri Lanka’s interests in the UK.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
London
22 July 2024
