'Kunanayakam transfer in country's best interests'

by P.Krishnaswamy

Refuting accusations of Opposition political parties that the transfer of incumbent Sri Lankan Permanent Representative in Geneva Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam to Havana, Cuba was politically-motivated, Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera told the Sunday Observer that it was a well-considered decision taken by the Head of the State in the best interests of the country.

The decision to transfer Ambassador Kunanayakam to Havana was taken considering that she had done a good job in countering the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the March UNHCR sessions and as she knows many languages especially Spanish which is the first language in many Latin American countries. The Government believes that with the good rapport which she enjoyed with the Latin American countries during her previous posting, she will be able to advocate the cause of her motherland and boost her image among those countries, he said.

On the implementation of the LLRC report, the Deputy Minister said a Plan of Action for the implementation process was being formulated jointly by several agencies including his Ministry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General's office and the Presidential Secretariat.