Chris wins ‘Diplomat of the Year’ for Asia in UK

Friday, 27 April 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Chris Nonis, was this week awarded ‘Diplomat of the Year’ for Asia, at the Annual Diplomat Awards Ceremony held in London recently, in the presence of the diplomatic community.

This is the first time a Sri Lankan High Commissioner has won this award, which is chosen from the 164 embassies and diplomatic missions in London.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in his acceptance speech said: “I am not Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, or Burgher; I am Sri Lankan, and I am proud to be Sri Lankan. I am particularly proud to be Sri Lankan on this day, because by winning this award the entire international community has given an index of confidence in our country.”

“After 28 years of bitter conflict we finally achieved peace in our country," he added.

"The people of Sri Lanka are now free of the autocracy and hegemony of terrorism, and we achieved that peace under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,” he further said.

“We now have a historic and unique opportunity to make that transition from developing to developed nation, as we build a truly pluralistic society. We are firmly embarked on a comprehensive rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reconstruction program in our country and we are indeed building an inclusive society,” the High Commissioner added.

Dr. Nonis thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the trust and confidence that he had placed in him at this extremely important Mission in London and also thanked all the members of staff at the Sri Lankan High Commission.

Before the presentation of the award, Dr. Chris Nonis was introduced by Hugo De Blocq Van Kuffeler representing an Island State with big challenges, this Head of Mission is an example of exemplary hard work which has developed the State to State relationships his Country relies on. The youngest Head of Mission appointed by his country to the UK, he is also a qualified doctor, an academic, and is Chairman of a large Conglomerate employing over 8000 people. He currently holds key roles in various Commonwealth organizations, all part of the tapestry that has given him such a rounded view of International relations. This Diplomat represents a Nation that has promised an innovative reconstruction focusing on the future by fully mobilizing its signature strength, a resilient and inclusive society at the start of a new era. He is, of course, the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, His Excellency Dr. Chris Nonis.”

Caption

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner for the UK, Dr Chris Nonis, was awarded the “Diplomat of the Year” for Asia, at the Annual Diplomat Awards Ceremony at the Langham Hotel in London last night, in the presence of the Diplomatic Community. This is the first time a Sri Lankan High Commissioner has won this award, which is chosen from the 164 Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in London.