President offers UK HC post to Sanga

24 August 2015 08:29 am - 73 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena today invited Sri Lanka’s former cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, who retired from Test Cricket, to accept the post of Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK.

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Comments - 73

Giri Monday, 24 August 2015 07:33 PM

It is indeed funny that a sports person however famous he is can be appointed as a diplomat. Srilanka in still backward moving direction???

KD Monday, 24 August 2015 11:28 PM

Congratulations sanga... Wish your All the Best ur future... via DM Android App

Fair N Square Monday, 24 August 2015 10:33 PM

LOL ! commenters? oooooops.. a typical case of a pot calling a kettle black..

navin Monday, 24 August 2015 10:29 PM

welldone sanga u deserve it....... via DM Android App

suresh Monday, 24 August 2015 09:45 PM

Sanga UK HC is not big post and not permanent, you deside your future

johan Monday, 24 August 2015 09:06 PM

He should be given a chance in the sports field.Specially to be HC for UK needs more experience.Otherwise he could be given a chance 1 step down than the HC so that he can gain some experience for sometime

Merril Monday, 24 August 2015 08:09 PM

Excellent choice, good communicator, Sanga will be a good ambassador to represent our country. He is capable enough to show the world, the other side of Sri Lanka which is far better than what they think.

Citizen Perera Monday, 24 August 2015 08:01 PM

Excellent move your Excellency. Sanga was our ambassador we never had. He kept our flag flying high while our nation earned the notoriety as a pariah nation. Sanga will do us proud than any "diplore MUT" we ever had.

Veritas Monday, 24 August 2015 07:37 PM

Sanga has been a great cricketer, he does speak English very, very well, but is he experienced in the diplomatic service?By the way, commenters: carrier is a ship the carries and launches war planes. The word you want is CAREER.

mithra Monday, 24 August 2015 07:35 PM

With all due respect to Sanga I do not think it is a wise move. This is an emotional decision by the President. This is where politicians go wrong. For such post an experienced,more matured, person with a wide knowledge is to be considered. We have enough such people.

Bernie Wijesiriwardena Tuesday, 25 August 2015 12:11 AM

You are an extremely talented, versatile and a gifted person. There are very few persons of your caliber who are fearless to speak the truth. On the contrary; diplomacy is to tell a lie without hurting the other to gain your end or retain it.Your gift is much needed in Sri Lanka at a time like this! The country is divided and the people are scattered all over the world confined in camps like animals with no self esteem. Those that remained in the North are poverty stricken and their wealth had been plundered driving them to destitution, not having one fair meal a day. Politicians drove those human beings exploiting those conditions for their personal glory and even to amass wealth in Sri Lanka and in other parts of the world. You communed with different ethnic groups of Sri Lanka in unity and gained global knowledge of many nations in the playing field; now the time has come for you to disperse that invaluable experience and knowledge to the section of suffering humanity.

D.Raj Joseph Monday, 24 August 2015 07:32 PM

Sanga.I am not underestimating your capabilities , but as a cricketer you will serve better for the world of Cricket. The tree major countries (India, England and Australia) have hijacked the ICC for financial gains which is not good for development of cricket ad it is injustice for smaller and poor countries such as Srilanka .I am sure with the additional qualification as a lawyer you are better suited to fight and stop further damage done to the cricket and you will be recognised not only in Srianka but world wide by all cricket playing nations and of course all cricket fans around the world .You are still young an inexperienced take up civil service and the position as the High commissioner to UK will drop you into the deep end .I am not surprised you are head hunted by many for all sort of reasons buy I am sure you are wise and smart enough to choose your future. But remember cricket made you who you are today and you owe it to cricket world

Lanka Watch Monday, 24 August 2015 07:27 PM

Sanga is not greedy for power nor celebrity status. He willnot accept such a position without experience in inter-national politic.

C S Monday, 24 August 2015 07:11 PM

Sanga,I was surprised as you were to hear the President offering you the post of High Commissioner to London. My advice, be cautious in accepting. Do not rush in to it-you could provide great service to cricket and developing it in Sri Lanka.

Rala Monday, 24 August 2015 06:29 PM

Dirty politicos are going to use Sanga to cover their failures..

saranapala Monday, 24 August 2015 06:29 PM

Do not be greedy and accept it. Do not involve with politics. On the other hand there are carrier foreign service personal waiting for their chance.

bandara Monday, 24 August 2015 06:10 PM

Sanga. take the post for 1 year and see how it goes in your elevation of Sri Lanka to a new height.

dayananda Monday, 24 August 2015 05:40 PM

take it, you can retire later. all the best.

appuhamy Monday, 24 August 2015 05:16 PM

With all due respect to Sanga and our President. .. I feel this is a wrong decision.

Cobra Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:49 AM

There is none more qualified for that post than he- go for it Sanga and all the best!

SS Tuesday, 25 August 2015 05:25 PM

Breaking news - Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, Hadlee, Bothem, Miandad

suda Tuesday, 25 August 2015 12:49 PM

He is a great cricketer. He can speak English better than other team members, even better than many of the parliamentarians’. Definitely we need him to be the HC for Britain or many be for Australia, sometimes he speaks with a hint of that accent. We must also get another player who specks Hindi fluently to be the HC for India. Wow...

Nimal Tuesday, 25 August 2015 11:32 AM

With all my respect to Sanga,I would recommend the former HC Ksenuka Seneviratna as the next HC to London as she had a very professional approach and dedication to to the job.Hope the foreign office will give Maxwell Keegal his former job in the HC.He too worked tirelessly.I would also recommend Col Vidurupola as the defense attache.SL is still not out of the woods with respect problems from diaspora and interfering IC.SL has a long way to go to reach the standards of the nearby country like Singapore,if we are to be accepted as a true free democratic nation where an average citizen feel free and secured.at present our individual freedoms are very much suppressed by unnecessary official bureaucracy which I see at present during the Perahara in Kandy,having to live between UK and SL,can see the utter stupidity and ignorance,mostly created by the official government policy that is been administered by the equally ignorant officials.

ibnuaboo Tuesday, 25 August 2015 11:25 AM

Post of HC becomes to satisfy some defeated candidates in election or foreign employ the ment to the close relatives or reward to the persons who earned credit world wide to this island. But foreign mission post is not coming under the above categories of qualification. Overall developments of a country such as goodrelationship , defence,and economic etc.depends on the HC or Ambassador

wikram Tuesday, 25 August 2015 10:19 AM

Resist the temptation. Keep away from politics and politicians .There is a great deal yet that you can still do for international sport, especially cricket. Best wishes Distant admirer

Ajit Tuesday, 25 August 2015 09:06 AM

KS, with all due respect to MS, its better to keep politics out of your life and leave the post to a career DP.You could do much more, implementing and promoting the game of cricket for SL and for the ICC as we need someone like you with your proven track record and calibre for this much loved sport.

Ashad Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:54 AM

I think Sanga has the charisma, education and background to become our High Commissioner in the UK.

Cobra Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:54 AM

As an afterthought please do not go into politics, think of your pure white feathers!

Prometheous Monday, 24 August 2015 05:07 PM

People are forgetting that Sanga is also a lawyer! So he certainly is qualified, but like many others have said its best if a sports legend like him stay away from politics.

Barus Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:47 AM

Mr.President, this is one excellent decision you have made. Sanga can represent the country very well in any forum. He is far superior in his judgement than all of our idiotic politicians. Furthermore, our foreign services is diluted by the likes Sajin Vaas. I hope Sanga accepts this position earnestly. Sanga is not in need of money and certainly he would not mess up his appointment.

M.Z.M Haseen Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:33 AM

We the Kandyans are so proud of Sanga ,the President made the right choice , Sanga speaks quality English and thus he is the correct choice

Veda-mama Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:32 AM

UK HC post is for sale. Any Bets?? This is where MR sees eye to eye with MS.

ibadun Tuesday, 25 August 2015 08:25 AM

It seems that he has said the decision was wrong by MS by stating qualification and quality .. There is a service called SL Foreign Services and there are also international relations studies for the same. International relations is the key to any country which should recruit quality professions not just popular guys or lost politicos and their associates to be appointed. Sanga is our respect , he is our legend, he is our lion...so he is expert in his field and also law student there are many skills required by SL cricket which partly can be fulfilled by Sanga.

ray perera Tuesday, 25 August 2015 04:58 AM

You will be good a fine diplomat for SL in UK.You can make a excellent contribution for world cricket.Lord Cobham arrived in NZ from UK in 1957 to take the office of GG. Lord Cobham was a good cricketer and a sportsman. He also had many other qualities.But he was appointed because he was the best man for the job of GG of New Zealand.So, Kumar Sangakara I am sure you have been asked to be the UK diplomat because you are best man for the job. Good Luck

Mohamed Saif Tuesday, 25 August 2015 04:15 AM

personalities and caliber like sanga are ideal for HC post as they represent a country. They also can act as a brand ambassador for Sri Lanka . Personal achievements and recognition are key to build credibility . I think post suits him and I am sure he was law student too. Good luck he was very simple and humble to as I have met him in Sydney while he was shopping

Bodrzsmm Tuesday, 25 August 2015 01:22 AM

He is not qualified. He is liked by all and has no record of corruption. But he can learn on the job.

clueless Tuesday, 25 August 2015 12:41 AM

Correct. Michael Clarke also retired recently but it was limited to sports field . We are making too much of a scene which is embarrassing as a country on a cricketers retirement.

AJJA Monday, 24 August 2015 02:15 PM

This is great news and the perfect choice to the right Country.Well done Mr.President.....

Citizen Silva Monday, 24 August 2015 02:45 PM

Once retired from cricket, let Sanga cool off for a while. Should not rush things on him and put him in an embarrassing situation. Our politicos are so cheap in their thoughts, destroying all norms of life.

Marie Monday, 24 August 2015 02:38 PM

Consider taking up the offer Kumar. You may be able to put SL back on the map!

mitch lankan Monday, 24 August 2015 02:36 PM

sanga please accept the post as you are the perfect person with excellent representative skills, knowledge,academic qualifications and with good command of english language.we need people like you to represent and bring a good name to our country. please dont make other uneducated politician to take up this post by rejecting this offer.

ziyard Monday, 24 August 2015 02:33 PM

sanga,only few could speak english like you do,you didnt embarrass us in cricket field,likewise you will not embarrass us in international forums.pls take up the offer !

Yapa Monday, 24 August 2015 02:32 PM

KS is a top cricketer, that is not a reason to be a top diplomat at an important place for SL, where you need an experienced diplomat.He cannot be compared to Skanda appointed to Australia.Skanda had a superb carrier history in the private sector until he retired.He was a cricketer and an all rounder at Royal and later played for a club.

Yapa Monday, 24 August 2015 02:32 PM

KS is a top cricketer, that is not a reason to be a top diplomat at an important place for SL, where you need an experienced diplomat.He cannot be compared to Skanda appointed to Australia.Skanda had a superb carrier history in the private sector until he retired.He was a cricketer and an all rounder at Royal and later played for a club.

kumara Monday, 24 August 2015 02:31 PM

With all the respect to Kumar.... I think this move is ultra stupid. Let him to decide what to do he may do a good job in his own field... even in ICC...

Jayantha Monday, 24 August 2015 02:18 PM

I think Sanga is more than HC of UK. He has lot more to contribute to cricket while he is out of 11

justin Monday, 24 August 2015 02:47 PM

He is an educated well mannerd genuine young person and well qualified lawyer. He fits for this position to represent our motherland.

Saman Monday, 24 August 2015 02:14 PM

Compared to some of the buffoons we have, this guy is eminently qualified

Bippity Boppity Boo Monday, 24 August 2015 02:11 PM

We have to have proper diplomates at our embassies. It is best to have career diplomates at key countries.

Bippity Boppity Boo Monday, 24 August 2015 02:09 PM

I agree. This is where Rajapaksa too made a mistake.

Waco Monday, 24 August 2015 02:09 PM

"Congratulations " Sangs.

Welldone Monday, 24 August 2015 02:09 PM

Very good move. He is capable of handling HC post very much.

jan Monday, 24 August 2015 02:06 PM

Go slow boys. Let him enjoy life.

DD Monday, 24 August 2015 02:06 PM

I find that very funny.

Sanga Monday, 24 August 2015 02:05 PM

It was a very emotional moment to see everyone that supported Kumar was present during the farewell! Unfortunately,one person was missing :-( The tuk tuk uncle that used to drive him to school.......

srilankan Monday, 24 August 2015 03:50 PM

Dear President,Why don’t you invite a rejected politician to fill this post...

Prem Monday, 24 August 2015 05:03 PM

Sanga please accept.The position will be glorified by you.

Lasanth Monday, 24 August 2015 04:54 PM

Please accept it and put sri lanka on the map

acs Monday, 24 August 2015 04:50 PM

I thought yahapalana was going to restrict such positions to those coming through the diplomatic service and not political appointees??

nimal Monday, 24 August 2015 04:41 PM

we all heard this post was offered to rosy senanayeke but refused. i think sanga is million times better candidate to the post than rosy!.. so whats so funny about?..

chams Monday, 24 August 2015 04:11 PM

he is yet to complete his law exams!

OMG Monday, 24 August 2015 04:02 PM

Take it Sanga, Take it! If you dont take it I am sure it will go to some some uneducated political appointee who will put Sri Lanka to shame.

upul Monday, 24 August 2015 03:58 PM

I am sure you can do a great job

karthi Monday, 24 August 2015 03:51 PM

Sanga you are a great cricketer and a gentleman and you will be a best Ambassador.

Dinesh France Monday, 24 August 2015 02:04 PM

Sanga`s legacy goes beyond his cricket

heminda14 Monday, 24 August 2015 03:40 PM

This clearly shows the intelligence of the Present President and the Ex President. Sanga has all the qualification.He is Matured now, Traveled the world, His speech was Highly acknowledged at Lords as well as in Sri Lanka,He is playing county cricket now,Studied law in U.K. World famous Cricketer, comes from a very respectable family,I personally know that. What else can you ask for? Let him decide his future. I am sure he will take the right decision.Look at the calibre of people our Ex president Appointed for that matter????

Jayasri Monday, 24 August 2015 03:38 PM

Its not so funnier than a president contesting in a parliamentary election

Faris Ismail Monday, 24 August 2015 03:34 PM

You are the perfect gentleman who can take this job and make our country proud.

Dayawathie Monday, 24 August 2015 03:23 PM

Sanga please be your own man. Do not take political appointments. I hope you will do something for the betterment of the game of cricket and poor children.

Vass Monday, 24 August 2015 03:21 PM

But there will be Vass there to hit him. Bes to reject the offer with all respect to MS

kan Monday, 24 August 2015 03:18 PM

This offer is from yahapalanaya government, please accept it.

Colombo man Monday, 24 August 2015 02:59 PM

Sanaga could do the job if he is well supported by the career diplomats.Rosy is an intelligent lady Ranil should make use of her potential for a suitable role.Cheers!

piyal samarakone Monday, 24 August 2015 02:57 PM

Yes he is suitable - one can argue on that considering the fact that expertise and experience on that field - but he is far better than most of the emissaries -

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President offers UK HC post to Sanga

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