Project: Rohitha Bogolagama

• Category:
• Date Of Project: 2012-12-04
• Project Description: Chandrasekera Rohitha Bandara Bogollagama is a former Sri Lankan politician and was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 28 January 2007 Rohitha Bogollagama was born on the 6th of August 1954 in Colombo. He pursued his education at Ananda College, Colombo before entering the Sri Lanka Law College passing out in 1976. It was in his tender youth at Ananda College, he first began to demonstrate his qualities of leadership and excellence. It was at the Sri Lanka Law College that he met his wife Deepthi, who was also a fellow law student. They got married in 1978 and now have two children, Dhakshitha and Dilshani. Both Rohitha and Deepthi always played strong role in the lives of their children providing cons¬tant encouragement and guidance in their educational and social endeavors. Dhakshitha is now a BBM graduate in Finance from the Singapore Management University, Singapore after undergraduate studies from George Washington University, US, and Dilshani after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Kings College London is currently a medical student at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Rohitha Bogollagama’s legal career that spans for over three decades in criminal and corporate law exemplifies both his sound ability and potential. He served as a legal advisor to several corporate entities in Commercial Trade and Shipping where he handled Dispute Resolutions, Settlements and Arbitrations in countries not limited to but including Austria, Bangladesh, Denmark, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong SAR, India, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. As a professional, Rohitha Bogollagama held many key positions as Chairman and Director General of Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Chairmanship at Cement Corporation and Directorship at Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Maersk Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Following his entry into the political arena, Minister Bogollagama became a Member of Parliament in 2000 and was a Member of Parliamentary Consultative Committees for the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industrial Development and Investment Promotion, Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was also a Member of Inter-Parliamentary delegation to Cambodia, Singapore and the United States of America. Thereafter he has held Ministerial portfolios such as Industries (2001–2004), Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development (2004–2005), Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (2005–2007) and Foreign Affairs (since 2007). In his illustrious political career he was able to establish a wide range of developmental projects in many regions, contributing to the economy of the country and empowerment of its people. His contribution to the industrial strata of the country has tremendously aided the growth of many key export oriented sectors. He promoted Sri Lanka as industrial and economic hub in the international markets encouraging foreign investments into the country. A striking highlight was in 2006 under his stewardship, as the Minister for Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development; Sri Lanka had the first highest recorded foreign investment of 604 million USD. As foreign minister Rohitha was in the forefront of leading Sri Lanka’s international counter terrorism strategy. His tireless efforts led to fruitful engagements with the international community which resulted in Sri Lanka being insulated from any international action during the final phase of the conflict. Such engagements brought about good-will from the international community, which has gone a long way in terms of supporting the rehabilitation efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka during a crucial time. His regular interactions with a cross section of reputed international media have also been of vital importance to Sri Lanka in dispelling misinformation pertaining to the country, enhancing Sri Lanka’s image abroad. In the post-war era, Foreign Minister Bogollagama played a key role to enable Sri Lanka to step into several international organizations which paved the way for the country to have the widest possible engagement with global decision-makers. Some of Sri Lanka’s achievements in the international arena include securing membership in key organizations to enable increased cooperation and engagement. This includes the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Asia Middle East Dialogue (AMED), G-15 and G-11. Sri Lanka has also made considerable headway in these forums and is now the current Chair of SAARC and ACD. Sri Lanka is also due to Chair the G-15 from next year. Rohitha Bogollagama is a visionary leader equipped with experience, exposure, perspicacity and perseverance all of which strengthens his ability to transform a vision, once dreamt, into a reality of tomorrow.