SRI LANKAN government officials highlighted their strong links with the area by sending gifts to Harrow’s Mayor this week.

Councillor Kairul Kareema Marikar presented a memento from Kandy, her birthplace, to Harrow mayor, Councillor Asad Omar.

The memento was a gift from Cllr Azmin Marika, portfolio holder for social welfare and the Special Commisioner of Columbo Municipal Council, Mr Omar Kamil.

The gifts were presented to Cllr Marikar when she visited Sri Lanka recently on a private visit.

Cllr Marikar, Harrow’s first Sri Lankan Muslim woman councillor, was elected in May last year to represent West Harrow Ward.

Cllr Marikar said: "Britain has a long historical link with Sri Lanka. I started my working life as a food and beverage manager in the Queen Hotel, Kandy, which is named after Her Majesty.

“The UK is renowned for tea-drinking and Sri Lanka is one of the world’s best tea producing nations. Harrow has a large Sri Lankan population so there is an obvious link already which I want to promote.”