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

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama met with The Rt Hon Greg Hands, Minister of State for Trade Policy and Minister for London on 12 December 2023 at the Department for Business and Trade of the UK and had discussions on enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations.

High Commissioner Bogollagama presented his compliments to the UK Government for the support and as well as the understanding during social, economic, and political challenges which Sri Lanka went through and explained the steadfast journey of Sri Lanka by overcoming the economic turmoil under the leadership of HE the President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During the discussion High Commissioner Bogollagama emphasised on key areas on enhancing exports from Sri Lanka to the UK. He mentioned that ‘Sri Lanka largely depend on its manufacturing industries, especially apparel manufacturing plants which were formed with foreign investments, with improved and assured market access guaranteed through the Multi-Fibre Agreement (MFA) in 1970s. However, at present the Sri Lankan apparel exports sector largely depend on the fabric imported from Far-East Asian countries due to the lack of a fabric base in Sri Lanka. The garments manufactured using these fabrics do not qualify under the ‘Double Transformation’ Rules of Origin criteria being implemented under the UK’s DCTS. Therefore, this has become a hindrance in attracting more investments into the apparel industry where the country has developed a great level of expertise over the last 50 years and particularly in Government’s efforts on post-war reconciliation measures of developing the Northen and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and generating employment opportunities for the under-privileged youth in those areas.’ » Read more

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama participated in the Sangha Nayaka Anuprapthi Felicitation Ceremony of Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayaka Thero held at Manchester on 10 December 2023. The event was attended by Senior Buddhist Monks led by Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Secretary to the Malwatte Chapter Sangha Sabawa of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Lady Mayoress Yasmin Dar, and Councillors along with Community Leaders and the British Sri Lankan Community of Manchester, United Kingdom

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His Excellency Rohitha Bogollagama, Special Representative/Special Envoy of H.E. Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka who is attending the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting held on 05th & 06th December 2023 delivered Sri Lanka’s country statement and pledges for the United Nations Peacekeeping operations on 06.12.2023 in Accra, Ghana while showcasing Sri Lanka’s collective commitment to United Nations peacekeeping.

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The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London, jointly with SLASSCOM and Sri Lanka – UK Chamber of Commerce (SL-UKCC), organised the re-launch of the ‘Island of Ingenuity’ the Sri Lanka IT/BPO sector brand to promote Sri Lanka as a unique destination for Business Process Outsourcing/ Management (BPO/BPM) and Investments, including Tech Investments and the Colombo Port City Project held on 29 November 2023. The event followed by a networking reception was held at the Sri Lanka High Commission, London with the participation of close to 100 UK industry professionals and BPO/BPM company representatives and potential investors. » Read more

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama addressed the 33^rd Assembly of the IMO on 29 November 2023.

While recognizing the importance of the maritime industry in global trade and sustainable development, High Commissioner reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to actively contributing to the IMO’s objectives and initiatives towards a safer, more secure, and more environmentally sustainable maritime domain. Sri Lanka actively works towards implementing the IMO’s initial GHG (greenhouse gas) Strategy in order to mitigate climate change challenges, High Commissioner added. » Read more

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama met Dr Matthew Offord MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Sri Lanka today, 28 November 2023 at the Houses of Parliament.

High Commissioner Bogollagama and MP Offord engaged in productive discussions on the enhancement of parliamentary relations between the two countries particularly through exchange of parliamentary delegations. » Read more

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama attended the 03^rd Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit (CTIS), organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), which is being held in London on 27^th & 28^th November 2023. The CTIS was attended by many Commonwealth dignitaries including the participation of head of state from Samoa, Ministers of Trade and Industry of Ghana and Nigeria, High Commissioners, senior officials, business leaders, technocrats etc, from across the Commonwealth, for two-day sessions, meetings, round table sessions and networking.

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