Sri Lanka High Commission in the United Kingdom conducted its first mobile service at the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara on 24 April 2010. A brief inaugural ceremony was held with the participation of Ven. Vitharandeniye Kassapa Nayake Thero, Chief Priest of Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara, H.E. Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, High Commission staff and members of the Sri Lankan community in Birmingham.

At the inaugural ceremony Ven. Kassapa Thero mentioned that the mobile service was long overdue and immensely beneficial to the Sri Lankan community in Birmingham. Those in need of various services are required to travel all the way to London on a weekday to the High Commission having taken leave from their work places and incurring extra expenditure. Venerable Nayake Thero further stated that today the High Commission has come to their door step to provide the required services.

H.E. the High Commissioner stated that the High Commission will be providing all consular and Sri Lankan Government pensions related assistance at this mobile service. It is proposed to conduct similar services in Manchester and Liverpool. He further informed that the intention of the High Commission is to provide consular services where there is a large number of Sri Lankans living in the UK.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Bank of Ceylon were also present to promote their services.

Sri Lanka High Commission
The United Kingdom
24 April 2010.