High Commissioner of Sri Lanka

Profile of Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka

Mr. Rohitha Bogollagama is the newly appointed Sri Lankan High Commissioner, (designate), to the UK. Prior to taking up his appointment in London, Mr. Bogollagama has been a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka between 2000-2010 and has served in several key ministerial positions during his tenure, in addition to being appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province from 2017-2019.

Having completed his primary education at Ananda College, Colombo, Mr. Bogollagama entered Sri Lanka Law College in the year 1973 to pursue a career in law. With the completion of successive examinations, Mr. Bogollagama commenced his legal practice in 1976 with a special focus on criminal law. In 1987 Mr. Bogollagama expanded his expertise on commercial law with overseas engagements in Shipping, Trade, Settlements, Arbitration and Negotiation. During this period Mr. Bogollagama has been responsible for advising major international clients including Maersk Shipping of A. P Moller & Company, Denmark and Voice of America of the Government of United States.

While being a Member of Parliament Mr. Bogollagama served as the Minister of Industries (2001-2004), Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development (2004-2005), Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (2005-2007) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007-2010).

As a veteran lawmaker in the country Mr. Bogollagama has been instrumental in introducing legislation to setup the National Enterprise Development Authority to cater to the development of the Small and Medium Enterprise sector in Sri Lanka while serving as the subject minister. In addition, he served as the Chairman of the SAARC Council of Ministers (2008-2009), while contributing to establish strong diplomatic relations with other countries as a Member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (2007-2009), Vice President of the Non-Aligned Movement (2009) and Chairman of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Meeting (2009) among others. His participation at the Shangri-La Dialogue and the ASEAN grouping highlights his prowess in diplomacy.

Mr. Bogollagama has been at the forefront, leading peace talks and negotiations with the LTTE at the height of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict as the spokesman for the Government of Sri Lanka. He had been instrumental in spearheading the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to defeat terrorism by gaining support from the International community through wide engagement and astute diplomacy. While serving as the Governor of the Eastern Province, Mr. Bogollagama has made strenuous efforts to bring about reconciliation and harmony among communities.

Prior to contesting the elections in 2000, Mr. Bogollagama has served in key positions heading various Government and Private Sector Institutions. Some of the highlights in his list of appointments include serving as the Director of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (1989-1993), Chairman, Sathosa Printers Ltd., (1992-1993), Chairman, Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (1993-1994), Chairman and Director General, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka (1993-1994) and Director, Sri Lanka Export Development Board during the same year, proving his expertise in diverse fields.

Having served in various capacities heading Government and Private Sector Institutions, serving in key Ministerial and Diplomatic positions, Mr. Bogollagama has thus played a pivotal and an exemplary role in establishing equality and equity in the political makeup of Sri Lanka.