Welcome to the Official Portal of the High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom

The Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK was officially opened on 22nd October 1948, and was the second overseas Mission to be opened by Sri Lanka. This was the first Embassy to start operating after Sri Lanka then Ceylon gained independence from Britain.

Bilateral ties with the UK takes centre stage in the country’s post colonial foreign policy making London one of the most important Missions abroad for Sri Lanka. In addition to its bilateral work, the Mission also handles the work related to the Commonwealth Organisation. Sri Lanka also established diplomatic relations with the then Republic of Ireland in February 1996, and concurrent accreditation was formalised when the High Commissioner presented credentials as Ambassador to the President of Ireland in January 1997.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, visited Sri Lanka twice since independence, first in 1953 and then in 1981. The Queen’s second visit was to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of universal adult franchise in Sri Lanka. The Victoria Dam under the Mahaweli Diversion Programme was ceremoniously opened by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984.