COLOMBO : The new British High Commissioner who presented his credentials this week said he looks forward to building upon those 75 years through strengthening cooperation to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for both the countries.
On Wednesday 23 August, the new British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, presented his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The British High Commissioner said: “I am both honoured and delighted to be accredited as the British High Commissioner to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The last 75 years of our relationship has shown how much our countries can achieve together, and the significant contribution of the Sri Lankan community in the UK.
I look forward to building upon those 75 years through strengthening cooperation to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for both our countries.”
From 2013 to 2018, Andrew Patrick served as British Ambassador to Myanmar. Previous appointments have included Afghanistan and South Africa.
The High Commissioner is accompanied by his wife, Khin Sandar Win, who comes from Myanmar and is a businesswoman.
Andrew Patrick was the UK’s Migration and Modern Slavery Envoy from February 2022 to May 2023.
His previous diplomatic roles were:
2013 to 2018 British Ambassador to Myanmar (Burma)
2009 to 2013 Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), Additional Director South Asia
2007 to 2009 Kabul, Deputy Head of Mission
2004 to 2007 Pretoria, Deputy Head of Mission
2001 to 2004 FCO Head of Newsroom
2000 to 2001 FCO Head of Knowledge Programme
1998 to 2000 FCO Private Secretary, Foreign Secretary’s Office
1996 to 1998 FCO Head of Section (Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia)
1995 to 1996 Brussels, First Secretary, UK Delegation to NATO
1991 to 1995 Nicosia, Third later Second Secretary
1989 to 1991 FCO Desk Officer, Security Policy Department