Colombo to name new envoy to India
Sri Lanka has recalled all non-career diplomats serving as heads of
missions abroad who had held their posts before January except the High
Commissioner to India with a new envoy to be named shortly.
The new High Commissioner to India has been selected, however the
current envoy will remain in New Delhi until his successor gets approval
from the parliamentary committee on high posts, foreign ministry
spokesperson Mahishini Colonne said.
She said that all non-career heads of missions who had held the posts
before January 8 have been recalled, except for the High Commissioner to
India, will have vacated their posts by the end of June. This will be
the first Sri Lankan High Commissioner to be appointed to India under
President Maithripala Sirisena's Government. His predecessor, Mahinda
Rajapaksa had faced criticism for politicising the foreign service by
selecting a high percentage of political appointees over career
diplomats.
Ms. Colonne said Sri Lanka has 63 missions overseas including
consulates and the recall has created 40 vacant heads of mission posts.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had said that the new government
would make diplomatic appointments on a 65 to 35 per cent basis between
career officers and political appointments. (Hindu) |