Bogollagama assumes duties in London

by Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

Rohitha Bogollagama, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, last week formally assumed duties at the High Commission at a modest ceremony.He was received on arrival at Heathrow Airport by Mrs Kathryn Colvin, Special Representative of the UK Foreign Secretary.

Addressing the High Commission Staff, Bogollagama stressed the paramount importance of advancing Sri Lanka’s national interests. He urged the staff to wholeheartedly engage in fostering and enhancing the existing amicable relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

A ceremonial oil lamp was lit and milk rice and sweetmeats served following Bogollagama’s assumption of duties.

High Commissioner Bogollagama later visited the London Buddhist Vihara, participated in religious observances and the recitation of ‘seth pirith,’ by the Chief Incumbent of the London Buddhist Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayake of Great Britain, the Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thera.

An MP from 2000 to 2010, Bogollagama has held several ministerial positions including that of foreign minister from 2007 to 2010.An alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo, he is a lawyer by profession practicing since 1973.