British Prime Minister appoints Ranil Jayawardena as Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka

Feb 07, 2018 (LBO) – British Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed Ranil Jayawardena, MP, as her trade envoy for Sri Lanka, British High Commission said.

Jayawardena’s role as trade envoy will be to support and enhance the development of Britain’s trade and investment with Sri Lanka.

“Given the shared history and close bonds of friendship between Britain and Sri Lanka – and with my family ties to Sri Lanka – I am looking forward to serving as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy at an exciting time for both our countries," Jayawardena said. He said there is lots of scope for further trade and investment between Britain and Sri Lanka.



"I recently visited ‘Port City’, one among many initiatives that the Sri Lankan Government is pushing forward that demonstrate its commitment to creating the right conditions for economic growth," Port City will provide a range of opportunities for UK-based professional services to work with Sri Lankan partners to take forward shared ambitions to develop international business. "I am confident that engagement by the UK’s professional services sector will help Port City to attract international investment and build its reputation.



” British High Commission said the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy will be visiting Sri Lanka from 15th to 17th February to meet with senior members of the government and engage with British business’s working in Sri Lanka. Jayawardena was elected as the Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire in May 2015 and was reelected in 2017.



He has a degree in government from the London School of Economics.



In Parliament he is the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sri Lanka. Jayawardena’s father is of Sri Lankan origin.

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris said Jayawardana’s appointment will help them to encourage more UK firms to look at options for doing business in and with Sri Lanka and to boost bilateral trade.