Closure of Unproductive SL Diplomatic Missions Abroad- Ravi

 Minister of Foreign Affairs Ravi Karunanayake  has addressed a prèss conference yesterday (25), where he said  that   the Government is considering a new strategy  to introduce some changes in its diplomatic mechanism. He said some of the Srilankan Diplomatic Missions in the European and other countries do not serve any purpose and became unproductive. There is no rationale in maintaining these foreign diplomatic missions.  Hence, such diplomatic missions would be closed down soon.He said performance of all diplomatic mission heads would be assessed before making a final decision.

In the mean time three Sri Lankan Ambassadors have been recalled back due to incompetence and  the minister declined to disclose their names.

We want to take best out of our diplomatic missions. We cannot allow incompetent persons to hold those positions and enjoy their time at the expense of public money, he said.

The Government has decided to go for commercial based diplomacy and link to the world through establishing commercial based diplomatic ties with various countries across the globe, he added

  “Heads of all Sri Lankan diplomatic missions have been called for a meeting with the President and the Prime Minister on 4th September to brief them about the new policy,” he concluded.