The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London participated in the annual Commonwealth Fair organised by the Commonwealth Countries League (CCL) in association with the High Commission of Bangladesh, under the theme ‘Empower Girls for Global Peace’ at the Kensington Town Hall on Saturday 09 November 2019.
The colourful Sri Lanka stall which featured Sri Lanka’s non-traditional exports to the EU and UK markets including wooden toys, soft toys, handlooms, handicrafts, natural beauty products, as well as Ceylon tea and Sri Lankan beverages, was a major attraction at the Fair. The Sri Lankan stall also offered delicious Sri Lankan cuisine comprising rice and curry, traditional sweetmeats and short eats.
This year’s Commonwealth Fair also included a small ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth with the participation of its 8 founder members including Sri Lanka. The ceremony was held under with the participation of the Minister of State for the Commonwealth, United Nations and South Asia of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon as the Chief Guest, Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo, Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps at The Royal Household Alistair Harrison, President of the Royal Commonwealth Society Lord Howell of Guildford, High Commissioners of the Commonwealth founder member countries including Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Manisha Gunasekera, President of the Commonwealth Countries League Nalini Paranavitane, and other distinguished guests.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony which was held under the aegis of the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Saida Muna Tasneem, a small reception was held for the Chief Guest and invitees at the Sri Lanka stall, where guests had the opportunity to taste Sri Lankan short eats and Ceylon tea.
Commonwealth countries participated in the Fair which was held to raise funds for the Commonwealth Girls’ Education Fund to support the education of disadvantaged girls across the Commonwealth.
