The Commission of Appointment of Honorary Consul for the province of British Columbia was ceremoniously handed over by High Commissioner Harsha Kumara Navaratne to James (Jim) Alan Bennett on 03 May 2023, at the office of the High Commissioner in Ottawa.
Briefing on the functions and duties, High Commissioner Navaratne stated that the role of the Honorary Consul in the modern context goes beyond routine consular related assistance, and he would be expected to assist the High Commission in promoting the interest of Sri Lanka with focus on outreach, promotion of tourism and investment. Honorary Consul Bennett informed that he is already in contact with the Sri Lankan community in British Columbia and is looking forward to work on identified priority areas under the guidance of the High Commission.
The office of the Honorary Consul is based in Surrey, British Columbia and he could be reached on +1-236-513-4744 or [email protected].
Honorary Consul Bennett is currently working as Principal Strategic Advisor at Jim Bennett Consulting and he is also the Administrator and Adjudicator of Jim Bennett Trust Fund (private). He has also volunteered his services as National Coordinator Canada at Astronomers Without Borders and member of Community Advisory Council of the Simon Fraser University. He is the founder and Executive Director of South Fraser Community Services and has established the Front Room 24 hour drop in Centre for Homeless on135 A Street, as well as the Surrey Needle Exchange –third in B.C. He is the recipient of Surrey’s 2020 Good Citizen Award.
