High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom

The 189th birthday commemoration of the late James Taylor, known as the Father of Ceylon Tea, unfolded with solemnity and celebration on March 29th, 2024, in his birth village of Auchenblae, Aberdeen. Led by the Sri Lanka delegation, spearheaded by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama, the event garnered the participation of over 100 esteemed members of the Auchenblae Heritage Society, distinguished guests, and key figures from Scotland’s tea trade, academia, media, and communities.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London organized the memorable occasion, in collaboration with Miss Anne Lawson, a senior member of the Auchenblae Heritage Society and a devoted advocate of Ceylon Tea. High Commissioner Bogollagama delivered a poignant keynote address, emphasizing the historic bonds between Sri Lanka and Great Britain, particularly through Ceylon Tea. He paid tribute to James Taylor’s pioneering efforts, which transformed Sri Lanka into an export economy and elevated the quality of life for its citizens. He urged the Scottish audience to honour Taylor’s memory by increasing their consumption of Ceylon Tea, brewed in the traditional manner, as a gesture of respect and solidarity. » Read more

As part of Sri Lanka’s participation in International Food Exhibition-2024, a series of Ceylon Tea promotional programmes were conducted in Scotland, culminating in a highly successful PR event at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) on March 28th, 2024. The event, a Ceylon Tea Tasting session, saw participation from approximately 100 attendees, including graduate and postgraduate students specializing in beverages and culinary arts at the Faculty of Business Management, as well as esteemed PhD researchers and senior lecturers from the university’s departments of food, beverages, culinary, hospitality, and tourism. » Read more

The Sri Lanka High Commission played host to a vibrant Networking Dinner Reception on March 26th, 2024, graciously hosted by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama. It was attended by over a hundred distinguished guests from various sectors including the UK-Sri Lanka tea and food trade, UK businesses, senior officials from the UK Department of Business and Trade, Commonwealth trade-related bodies, UK trade chambers, and other influential figures involved in Sri Lanka-UK trade, economic, and investment relations. » Read more

The Consular Division of the Sri Lanka High Commission has surpassed £100,000 in income in the month of April, marking a significant milestone in the recent past, under the leadership of His Excellency, Rohitha Bogollagama, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom. This achievement owes much to the diligent efforts of Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Manorie Mallikaratchy, Minister (Consular) Mr Aruna Fernando, and the Consular staff, whose facilitation has been instrumental in achieving this milestone. The Consular Division’s commitment to organizing mobile consular services beyond London, extending to Leeds and Liverpool, has contributed significantly to this success. With approximately 700,000 Sri Lankan diaspora in the United Kingdom, this accomplishment reaffirms the dedication of the Sri Lanka High Commission to serving this vibrant community.

 

Sri Lanka High Commission
London

02 May 2024

The UK branches of the Old Girls’ Associations of Girls’ High School, Kandy and Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy launched the first-ever Festival of Netball at the Sri Lanka High Commission on 15 March, 2024 under the patronage of High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama. Dhammika Korakahagoda and Udeni Perera, the Honorary President and President of the Kandy Girls’ High School OGA UK, and Oshadi Karunathilake, Preisdent of the Mahamaya Girls’ College OGA UK presided over the launching ceremony. Slated for May 6, 2024, the Festival of Netball promises an exhilarating showcase of netball prowess, with six teams engaging in 15 league matches, vying for the Jenny Green Memorial Trophy. » Read more

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK, Rohitha Bogollagama called upon the Lord Davies of Abersoch, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka at the Devonshire House on April 9, 2024. The discussions centered on bolstering bilateral trade and economic relations and the cooperation between the two countries. Lord Davies acknowledged the positive developments that have now been registered in Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The key points discussed in the meeting include;

The UK’s revision of the travel advisory on Sri Lanka on April 5, 2024 in a positive manner, indicating a growing confidence in the country’s economic prospects, which will further boost Sri Lanka’s tourism.  » Read more