Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom March 2017

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting Bathiudeen represented at the meeting. Minister also led the Business and Sustainability Roundtable, supported by Mr Mohamed Amersi, Founder of the Inclusive Ventures Group.

During the visit, the two Sri Lankan Ministers called on Dr. Liam Fox, UK's Secretary of State for International Trade to discuss matters of mutual interest, including trade facilitation and different avenues to promote trade between the two countries in the context of Brexit.

Commonwealth Ministers responsible for trade, industry and investment met in London from 9-10 March to kick-start an ambitious ‘Agenda for Growth’ across the Commonwealth’s 52 member countries.

The Meeting - the first of its kind - was jointly convened by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Over two days, ministers from over 35 Commonwealth countries and representatives from 45 Commonwealth Minister also held discussions countries consulted with 100 international with Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of business leaders and trade experts, concluding in a the Commonwealth where ongoing projects closed door policy roundtable at Marlborough including the assistance received from the House on 10 March. Commonwealth with regard to free trade agreement negotiations, designing an export Minister of Development Strategies and diversification strategy and helping to set up an International Trade Malik Samarawickrama and the Exim Bank were discussed. 

International Parliamentary Conference on National Security held in London

The UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK) organized the International Parliamentary Conference from 27 - 31 March 2017, to address fundamental issues on national and cybersecurity faced by parliaments

Sri Lanka High Commission, United Kingdom – Newsletter | 1 across the world. Over 90 participants including such goals. Presenting the award, Chief Editor of National Security Ministers, Chairs of National The Banker, Brian Caplen commended the Finance Security Committees and other expert Minister's contribution towards preventing a parliamentarians from 36 countries participated at possible financial crisis and his efforts in restoring the event. the country’s monetary reserves thereby rebuilding

confidence in foreign investors. Law & Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Receiving the award, Finance Minister Ravi Wijewardene, Telecommunication and Digital Karunanayake stated that the award was given in Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando and recognition of the policy planning taken by the Member of Parliament country to strengthen its economy under the represented Sri Lanka at the conference. guidance of President and Prime Minister . He added  that this award will further encourage Sri Lanka, bringing optimistic hopes for a better future for all

Finance Minister Sri Lankans.

receives the 'Best Finance Minister of

the Year 2017 - Asia Pacific Region' High Commissioner Amari Wjewardene along with

diplomatic officers and the officials of the Banker Award from The Banker Magazine Magazine were among the guests present at the event. 

Sri Lankan youth wins the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2017 Award

The prestigious Banker Magazine presented Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake the 'Best Finance Minister of the Year 2017 - Asia Pacific Region Award' at the Financial Times Headquarters in London on 24 March 2017.

The award was conferred on Sri Lanka for its efforts to take the country towards new economic reforms and changing public attitudes in support of

Sri Lanka High Commission, United Kingdom – Newsletter | 2

Krystal Reid of Sri Lanka, co-founder of the 'Enable Lanka Foundation', won the overall Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2017 award at an award ceremony held on 15 March 2017, at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London.

The Commonwealth Youth Awards aim to raise the profile and highlight the contribution young people make to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It recognizes the great work that young people are doing throughout the Commonwealth, ranging from poverty alleviation to tackling "Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Ceylon tea & inequality, to promote and enhance democracy and Scottish Entrepreneurship" and a networking development. session with tea trade on 24 March at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian hotel. Both the Krystal co-founded the 'Enable Lanka Foundation' events were organised in close collaboration with which aims to break stereotypes and stigma among the Asia Scotland Institute, an Edinburgh-based young women and other marginalised young non-profit organisation, which promotes a better people. The Foundation trains disabled young mutual understanding between Scotland and Asia people to enable them secure employment and through knowledge sharing. become self-sufficient. Krystal was recognized by the Commonwealth, particularly with regard to the contribution she has made in reducing inequality among the young people of Sri Lanka.

The programme concluded with a tea tasting session, which highlighted the specific characteristics of the teas produced in the seven agro-climatic regions of Sri Lanka. 

Ceylon Tea exhibition launched in the historic city of Dunstable Presenting the award, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland praised Krystal for her exceptional contribution to development work and said that she is an inspiration to the young people throughout the Commonwealth. 

150th Anniversary of Ceylon Tea celebrated in Scotland

Sri Lanka Tea Board and the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London joined hands in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Ceylon tea in Scotland, the In another initiative to mark the 150th anniversary homeland of James Taylor, who pioneered tea of Ceylon tea industry in the United Kingdom, Sri plantations in the island in 1867. The occasion Lanka Tea Board and the High Commission of Sri included a presentation at the esteemed University Lanka in London launched a Ceylon tea exhibition of Edinburgh on 23 March under the theme of at the Priory House Heritage Centre in Dunstable, a Sri Lanka High Commission, United Kingdom – Newsletter | 3 historic city, which dates back to the 12th century. The exhibition was organised in close collaboration with the Priory House Heritage Centre, which is managed by the Dunstable Town Council.

The exhibition was inaugurated on 25 March in the presences of a number of dignitaries, including High Commissioner Amari Wijewardene, Mayor of Dunstable, Peter Hollick, Councillor Ann Sparrow, Chief Executive of the Dunstable Town Council, Chairman of the International Tea Committee, CEO of the International Tea Committee and the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tea Board Rohan Pethiyagoda.

In recognition of the pioneering role played by James Taylor, the Scottish planter, who introduced tea plantations to the island in 1867, the Mayor of Dunstable and the High Commissioner also unveiled a bust-statue of James Taylor, presented by Sri Lanka Tea Board.

During her opening remarks, the High Commissioner conveyed her sincere thanks to the Priory House Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms and the Dunstable Town Council for the valuable contribution they made in setting up the exhibition. She also said that Dunstable and Sri Lanka should explore other areas cooperation, which can foster closer linkages between their people.

In his remarks, the Mayor, highlighting the historical importance of Dunstable, said that the Heritage Centre and the Town Council was pleased to be involved with the exhibition as it would enhance the people's knowledge on the history of tea industry and consumption.

The participants also took part in a tea tasting session conducted by Director (Promotion), Sri Lanka Tea Board, highlighting the teas grown in the seven agro-climatic regions of Ceylon. 

Sri Lanka High Commission, United Kingdom – Newsletter | 4