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| Sunday, 8 August 2004 |
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Foreign Ministry Protocol Manual revised The Foreign Ministry Manual of Protocol Procedure written in 1980 by Ms. Manel Abeysekera during her period as Chief of Protocol from 1974-1980 has been revised at the request of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. She had also drawn up a special protocol manual for the guidance of those associated with the organisation of the Non-Aligned Conference in 1976 in which 92 Heads of State and government had participated. The latest version of the manual, revised for the first time in the light of protocol development and practice since 1980, was presented by Mrs. Abeysekera to Minister Kadirgamar on August 2. Mrs. Abeysekera was the first woman Foreign Service Officer, having been recruited in 1958. In the course of her long career, she was Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Thailand and later to Germany with accreditation to Austria and Switzerland. Mrs. Abeysekera's work in revising this important manual was carried out in the spirit of national service. Protocol procedure and practice stems from the special nature of diplomatic relations which envisages privileges being accorded to foreign state and diplomatic personnel based on the fact that they do not come within the jurisdiction of another State in terms of the theory of State sovereignty which has resulted in the concept of the equality of States. In this context, protocol procedure and practice is a practical means of assisting foreign state and diplomatic personnel to perform their functions in another state and also caters to the ceremonial aspects attendant on such personnel in relation to visits and presentation of special documents. Protocol procedure and practice, while being based on international practice, varies to a degree in different national contexts. Therefore, the protocol procedure and practice set out in this manual is that established in Sri Lanka since 1948 with modifications from time to time. The manual covers a range of matters including immunity and privileges of diplomats, the various types of diplomatic documents, precedence tables, protocol assistance and foreign courtesies, visits by foreign dignitaries, the security of diplomatic missions, advice to Sri Lanka heads of mission and other foreign service officials and a large number of specimen letters and forms, arrangements for official functions, etc. The manual will be used for the guidance of all Sri Lankan diplomatic personnel. |
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