The newly appointed High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada, Asoka Girihagama assumed duties at the High Commission on 08 November 2018. He was received upon arrival at the High Commission by the members of the staff.
Addressing the staff of the High Commission upon assumption of duties, High Commissioner –designate Girihagama outlined the importance of widening Sri Lanka’s trade relations with Canada and the promotion of Canadian investment in Sri Lanka. His assumption of duties was marked by a simple ceremony organized by the staff of the High Commission along with milk rice and other sweets being served in keeping with Sri Lankan tradition.
High Commissioner- designate Asoka Girihagama joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1992, and has served in Embassies/High Commissions of Sri Lanka in Hungary, Austria, New Delhi, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. He also served as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman from 2011- 2014. Prior to his appointment as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Canada he served as the Director General of the South Asia and SAARC Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.
He holds a B. Sc. degree and a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics, and he is a past student of Anuradhapura Central College. Mr. Girihagama is married and has one daughter.
