Sri Lanka’s new High Commissioner to Great Britain Dr. Chris Nonis recently presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II, stated the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.

A doctor by profession, Dr. Nonis was the Chairman of the Mackwoods Group of Companies at the time of accepting the post of High Commissioner.

Dr. Nonis who went to Buckingham Palace with four other Sri Lankan diplomats by traditional carriage, held a lengthy discussion with the Queen. He presented the compliments of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Queen and mentioned that Sri Lanka is looking forward to welcoming her at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in 2013, the Sri Lanka High Commission further said.

Vice Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps, Simon Martin proposing a toast to President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that they are very pleased that the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed a High Commissioner who has a wide knowledge about Britain and its people. He mentioned that Dr. Nonis has already engaged very well with British society, the diplomatic community and the Diaspora, within a short period of time.

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Dr. Nonis said that Sri Lanka has achieved peace under the leadership of the President and has in place comprehensive reconciliation and development programmes. He requested the expatriates and other well wishers of Sri Lanka to actively get involved in the ongoing economic and social development efforts, especially to achieve growth with equity and ensure the peace dividend accrues to the rural areas as well.