James Dauris has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and British High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives.

James Dauris has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and British High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives in succession to John Rankin, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dauris will take up his appointment at the beginning of April 2015.

Dauris joined the FCO in 1995 and served most recently as British Ambassador to Peru for four years. During his career with the Foreign Office he has worked in London on South Asian, European Union and other issues and has served overseas in Russia and in Colombia. Dauris worked as a solicitor in the City for a number of years before joining the FCO.

On his appointment as British High Commissioner to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Dauris said:

I am really pleased to have been appointed to be the United Kingdom’s next High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Our two countries enjoy and benefit from a long and broad relationship. We see this in our close people to people, trade, investment, education, sporting, tourism and other links. I am excited about taking our relationship forward at an important time and to working with Sri Lanka on issues that matter to both our countries. And I am looking forward to working with the many British companies that are doing business and investing in this growing South Asian market.

On his appointment as British High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives, Dauris said yesterday:

I am delighted to have been appointed to be the United Kingdom’s next High Commissioner to the Maldives. Our two island nations enjoy and benefit from a long-established relationship. Tourism is among our countries’ important links – more than 74,000 British holiday makers have visited the islands this year. At the same time we share concerns and ambitions around some of the big challenges facing us today, including climate change. I am looking forward to working on issues that are priorities for both our countries.

(wired Gov)