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Executive Committee member of
the Consular Corps of London, Chaminda Kularatne organised
the 999 Seminar of their Consular gathering at the Sri Lanka
High Commission in Hyde Park Gardens, London recently. A
large number of diplomatic officers turned up at the
Chancery of the Sri Lanka High Commission to attend the 999
Seminar conducted by the Consular Corps of London.
There were 65 participants representing more than 55
diplomatic missions and consular offices based in London and
Dr Chris Nonis, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka warmly
welcomed the diplomats. The objective of the seminar was to
educate diplomats regarding the action which they should
take when handling a death of a foreign national whilst in
the United Kingdom.
Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner briefed them
about post conflict development and reconciliation process
taking place in Sri Lanka. He requested the diplomats not to
listen to the malicious campaigns carried out by certain
elements of international media and NGOs with hidden agendas
and invited them to visit the country personally to witness
the true peaceful situation and the massive development and
reconciliation process with their own eyes.
Prof Paul Matthews, HM Coroner for the City of London, Ms
Heather Scott and Ms Gill Piloni of New Scotland Yard and Ms
Sue Anderson of Rowland Brothers also addressed the
seminar.The participants were treated to Sri Lankan snacks
and tea. This event can be noted as a rare occasion where
such a large number of diplomats attended the Sri Lankan
Mission at one time after many years.
Diplomat Chaminda Kularatne (Attorney at Law), Minister
Counsellor handling consular affairs and immigration at Sri
Lanka High Commission in London was instrumental in making
arrangements for the successful conduct of this seminar at
the High Commission premises.
Mr Kularatne was elected to the executive committee of the
Corps in November 2011. His appointment is for three years
and first Asian diplomat to hold this position after five
years. It is the first time that a Sri Lankan diplomat has
been appointed to this committee. The Consular Corps of
London, established in 1902, is a prestigious association of
diplomatic officers handling consular affairs at the
diplomatic missions and honorary consulates based in London. |
