14th April 2016 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Congratulations to our two Sri Lankan Chevening CRISP fellows for 2016, Gayani Abeyasinghe and Balathasan Sayanthan, who are about to start their three month programme at the Saïd Business School in Oxford. This is the second year that Sri Lanka has been part of CRISP, a fellowship aimed at mid-career professionals from India and Sri […]
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4th April 2016 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Since 2010, the British Government has spent over £5 million on de-mining in Sri Lanka. Anyone wondering why humanitarian demining agencies are still working here years after the end of the war need look no further than the achievements of UK funded deminers in just two months this year. During February and March, the men […]
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24th March 2016 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Last week, I awarded the prizes at Sri Lanka’s Young Speaker 2016 competition. This is a testing event, in which young people have to make two short speeches, one prepared, and one on a topic given to them just two minutes before they take to the stage. It’s organised by the British School in Colombo […]
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21st January 2016 Colombo, Sri Lanka
There are 700 named varieties of British cheese. On Monday night, at the High Commissioner’s Residence, we tasted four of these: a blue Stilton and a mature cheddar, two of the most famous British cheeses, as well as a Red Leicester and a white Stilton with mango and ginger. Cheddar is probably the most consumed […]
17th December 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Last week, I marched from Vihara Maha Devi Park to Independence Square behind a 0% Tolerance for Corruption banner. The march was organised by the Sri Lankan Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption, enlivened by military marching bands and hairy black corruption devils, and sponsored by a range of local and international organisations, […]
13th November 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
On 8 November, we gathered at the Liveramentu War Graves in the Torrington Road cemetery for the annual reflection on sacrifice and the horrors of war that is Remembrance Sunday. The Act of Remembrance was as moving as ever. Bright Sri Lankan sunshine reflected off the rows of white headstones. Veterans, children, diplomats and serving […]
10th November 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
James Bond’s latest adventure, SPECTRE, launched in Sri Lanka last week. To celebrate, we held a glittering party at the High Commissioner’s residence, in Colombo 007. Guests came from Sri Lanka’s creative arts scene, business and Government to admire the best of British talent. Beautiful cars driven at high speed around extraordinary locations are an […]
13th October 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Fifteen years ago today, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 – an important recognition of the inordinate impact of war on women and girls, and of the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management, conflict resolution and building sustainable peace. Ninety percent of civilian casualties in conflict are women and children. […]
10th October 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
This year, World Mental Health Day is focusing on dignity. We all have mental health. Treating people with mental health problems with dignity helps everyone take steps to safeguard their wellbeing. Failing to do so can lead to self-stigma, low confidence, low self-esteem, withdrawal and social isolation. Providing effective support to people experiencing mental health […]
22nd September 2015 Colombo, Sri Lanka
The application window opens this week for the Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship Program (CRISP). The programme aims to build collaborations between the UK and Sri Lanka in business, science and innovation. It connects leading Sri Lankans with the best British academicians and practitioners. The 11 week programme at the University of Oxford’s […]
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