The Times They Are A-Changin’

I am delighted to be taking over Robbie’s mantle as Deputy High Commissioner and British High Commission blogger-in-chief! Like him, I’ll aim to offer personal reflections from my ringside seat on the rich and varied UK/Sri Lankan relationship. Please do comment, whether it’s to agree with me or not.

My first week here was dominated by the conclusion of the Khuram Shaikh trial. It was a privilege to be present for the culmination of long months of dedication by his family and friends, British Ministers, MPs and officials, as well as from the Attorney General’s office. It was very moving to sit in court, hearing justice being done, with Khuram’s brother, Nasser Shaikh. Of course, the story doesn’t end there, and I’ll reflect further on the case soon.

But as I’m barely off the plane, I should start by introducing myself. This is actually my fourth time in Sri Lanka. I visited for a week in May this year, when I was lucky enough to join High Commissioner John Rankin on his trip to the North Central Province. With him, I met Chief Minister of the North Central Province, and paid my respects to both the Sri Maha Bodhiya and the Ruwanveliseya in Anuradhapura. I also enjoyed the picturesque and comfortable train journey from Anuradhapura to Colombo. And most importantly, I got to see some of the talented team here at the High Commission in action.

My second trip to Sri Lanka was in 2000, when I came for a dear friend’s wedding: my first with elephants and Kandyan dancers! I also took the opportunity then to travel around the country’s most famous destinations, from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya to Unawatuna, Dambulla to Bentota.

And my first visit? Well, that was in 1978! The four-year-old me has a happy jumble of memories of monkeys, mangoes and the sweep of the beach near Trincomalee. Memories that help me look forward to introducing Sri Lanka’s wonders to my own family when they arrive later this month.

I bring a mix of professional experience to this job: some highly relevant, some less so! My career has so far included postings in Pakistan, Ethiopia and Europe; work on chemical weapons, elections and migration; and time as a press officer, a pizza waitress and a multilateral negotiator…

I arrive at a time when British tourists to Sri Lanka have never been higher, when the balance of trade is in Sri Lanka’s favour, but British businesses are both investing and winning major contracts here, when British Universities are extending more and more courses to Sri Lankan students, and Sri Lanka is chair of the Commonwealth. We are partners in so much: and that gives us the space to be able to disagree equally passionately on other issues. It adds up to an interesting time for Sri Lankan international relations and all I can say is: I’m very glad to be here.