Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka, Chennai

The Deputy High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Southern India is the mission of Sri Lanka in South India and represents the interests of the Sri Lankan government in the region. It is located in Chennai. The other missions are Consulate General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mumbai and High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, New Delhi. The Chennai Mission is responsible for the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry. The current deputy high commissioner is Ahamed Lebbe Sabarullah Khan. He succeeds R. K. M. A. Rajakaruna.

Deputy High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Southern India
Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, Chennai
ශ්‍රී ලංකා නියෝජ්‍ය මහකොමසාරිස් කාර්යාලය,චෙන්නායි
தென் இந்தியாவிற்கான இலங்கைத் துணை உயர் ஸ்தானிகராலயம்
Incumbent
Ahamed Lebbe Sabarullah Khan[1]
Ministry of External Affairs
StyleDeputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Southern India
Formation1957
DeputyH. B. Mahindadasa (Minister & Head of Chancery)
Websitehttp://www.sldhcchennai.org/

Location

The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka at Chennai is the closest Sri Lankan mission to the homeland in geographical terms. The chancery premises of the deputy high commission, which is its own premises, is located at 56, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam. The chancery was moved to its own premises on 20 August 2012.[2] Previously, the chancery was located at 196, TTK Road, Alwarpet. The deputy high commission has an honorary consul office at Bangalore.

History

The Sri Lankan Mission in Chennai (Madras) was established in 1957 and is one of the oldest missions of Sri Lanka.[3] The mission office in Chennai was established as the passport and information office under the supervision of the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi. In 1959, the passport office was upgraded as the Office of Assistant High Commissioner and subsequently to that of Deputy High Commissioner in 1966, with the mission playing an increasingly important role in the Southern region of the Indian Subcontinent due to the geographical proximity of Chennai to Sri Lanka and its ethnic commonality with the island nation.[4]

As part of revamping the diplomatic presence in India, the Deputy High Commission decided to post two additional Tamil-speaking officers from the public service at its chancery.[5]

List of deputy high commissioners
  • P. M. Amza (−31 July 2009)
  • Vadivel Krishnamoorthy (1 August 2009 – March 2012)[6]
  • R. K. M. A. Rajakaruna (9 March 2012–)[7]
  • Ahamed Lebbe Sabarullah Khan (15 May 2013 – 30 June 2015)
  • Vadivel Krishnamoorthy (July 2015 – present)[8]
  • R. K. M. A. Rajakaruna
  • Ahamed Lebbe Sabarullah Khan

New building

In order to reduce the cost of rentals being paid to mission premises in foreign countries, a new chancery building for the Chennai Mission is being built in Nungambakkam. The land for the proposed building was purchased in 2000, and the foundation was laid on 21 January 2009.[9][10] The foundation stone for the new building was laid by P. M. Amza, the then Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Southern India. The construction is being handled by the Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau (CECB) and will include the Deputy High Commission and two apartments while a separate construction within the same premises will house the official residence of the Deputy High Commissioner.[3]

Security

Following threats from various organisations and political parties in 2010, the deputy high commission has been provided with security by the Tamil Nadu government.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Deputy High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Chennai, India". Ministry of External Affairs, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  2. "Deputy High Commission Relocated". n.d. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  3. "New chancery to come up at SL Deputy High Commission". NewsOnProjects.com. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  4. "About Us". Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Southern India. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  5. PTI (31 August 2012). "Sri Lanka to revamp diplomatic presence in India". Business Line. Chennai: The Hindu. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  6. PTI (5 August 2009). "V. Krishnamoorthy takes charge as new Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai". Asian Tribune. Chennai: Asian Tribune. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  7. "Ambassador Rajakaruna assumes duties as the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India". Asian Tribune. Chennai: Asian Tribune. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  8. PTI (5 August 2009). "V. Krishnamoorthy takes charge as new Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai". Asian Tribune. Chennai: Asian Tribune. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  9. "A new chancery building in Chennai". Asian Tribune. Chennai: Asian Tribune. 21 January 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  10. Shivakumar, C. (27 April 2011). "Chancery flouts building plan". Express Buzz. Chennai: Express Buzz. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  11. Synon, Sherwani (13 July 2010). "Security for Chennai HC". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 12 February 2012.

Further reading
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