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President recalls ambassador to Vienna for not answering phone

16 September 2018 09:15 am - 44     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena recalled his top envoy to Austria and five other embassy staff for failing to answer his long-distance telephone calls, officials said Saturday.

Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera was given her marching orders after calls made by President Sirisena to the embassy in Vienna last week went "unanswered for several hours," an official source said, the AFP reported.

The source declined comment on why President Sirisena needed to contact the embassy urgently or why he did not attempt to do so through the Foreign Ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the recall, but did not give a reason.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Austria is also accredited to UN agencies in Vienna as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Earlier this week, President Sirisena flew into a rage over nuts served aboard the island's national carrier saying they were unfit "even for dogs."

"Returning from Kathmandu, I was served some cashews on board a SriLankan flight, but it was so bad even a dog wouldn't eat it," he said on Monday.

An airline spokesman said it has responded by clearing its stock of cashews -- only served in business class -- and would change its Dubai-based supplier.


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  Comments - 44

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  • Wise Donkey Sunday, 16 September 2018 09:26 AM

    Lokka chandiyawela wagey! He has not got over the anger from the Cashew nuts served to him. 'Ballath kanna ney mey jarawa' he has supposed to have said. Any way dog never eat cashew nut, as far as we know.

    nuts Sunday, 16 September 2018 10:45 AM

    so our prz going nuts

    Real Peace Sunday, 16 September 2018 01:51 PM

    Who is going to sack him for letting criminal suspects flee the country to avoid questioning by the CIDs...??

    Citisen Sunday, 16 September 2018 04:23 PM

    Maru Sira!

    bandara Sunday, 16 September 2018 08:34 PM

    Finally Prez is getting to know the very truth that current political appointees and Foreign Ministry personnel both are useless to Sri Lanka. They don't speak those country's language. They only wine and dine everyday like astray gone dogs and of coz they lay around. Prez, you should send true Sri Lankans after a strong background check to these posts at least now on. Call every dog out there back for the shake of our innocent Sri Lankans. Sl foreign affairs sucks since 1948. Gone to dogs.

    gamin Monday, 17 September 2018 01:36 AM

    No big loss for the Sr Lankans living in Austria.

    Sujeeva Monday, 17 September 2018 09:48 AM

    Well said Wise Donkey. We have bigger issues in the country and our president is only concentrating on cashew nuts, poems, missed phone calls and unwanted things. Why can't he take decisions for other issues the same way?? Its all a joke !!!

    srilankan Sunday, 16 September 2018 09:50 AM

    pussweddilla

    Ravi Monday, 17 September 2018 08:25 AM

    Big talk but scared of Mara.

    Lankan in USA Sunday, 16 September 2018 10:13 AM

    Battery Behela.

    Gamaya Sunday, 16 September 2018 04:24 PM

    Na Na, overcharge wela. Okata thamai kiyane - boozed with power!

    CAJU GIRL Sunday, 16 September 2018 10:44 AM

    "would change its Dubai-based supplier." - a caju girl or two (from Pasyalla) in the flight crew would have saved the situation !

    Jude Sunday, 16 September 2018 10:45 AM

    There's time difference!! Between Vienna and Colombo!! MS would've called when the Ambassador was sleeping!!??

    SERVICE FAULT ? Sunday, 16 September 2018 02:23 PM

    Could have been a fault (cable, embassy intercom) - It is impossible that they would not have answered..

    Unchikun Sunday, 16 September 2018 10:47 AM

    I am very sad I voted for the President at the last elections. I think he is now nuts after traveling Sri Lankan. He is making very unpresidential statements and acting funny. Examples are bringing back the hangman, letting off abductors and murders name a few. We have see that we send sensible and educated to the legislature at all future elections.

    dulan Monday, 17 September 2018 08:23 AM

    if dogs can fly

    Prem Sunday, 16 September 2018 11:32 AM

    President Maithripala Sirisena infested by “Trump mania”, making idiotic comments and foolish decisions!

    Maara Wesha Sunday, 16 September 2018 11:53 AM

    Sirisena is becoming Trumpsena.

    rajg Sunday, 16 September 2018 02:09 PM

    Those who God wishes to destroy, they makes them mad first! Is this happening?

    FromFarAway Sunday, 16 September 2018 02:26 PM

    What has the "nut issue" got to do with this news article? Is Daily Mirror trying to create news by promoting a narrative?

    Not cricket Monday, 17 September 2018 10:21 AM

    Nut tampering!

    Ceylon Sunday, 16 September 2018 02:33 PM

    What a disgrace to the presidency.governnent employees dont care president.his media section dont care him,he has to know news from next day newspapers.his police dont care him they dont prosecute criminals,his air line show him the exit door by offering spoiled cashu which kept for garbage.these all revealed to public by himself.now parliment must decide why this un able man keeping as a president.

    Unchikun Sunday, 16 September 2018 02:57 PM

    Why so many calls to diplomats in Europe? The UN human rights group will meet soon. Our president is in panic mode. Talked a lot about bringing human rights violators to justice. Now he does just the opposite. Now he has to explain why there was no justice to human rights violators. Not and easy task and there is no need to eat rotten nuts to go nuts. Sorry Mr. President , we see a electric chair in the horizon for the buddies you are protecting. Face it like a man,

    Indyd Sunday, 16 September 2018 03:02 PM

    May be our Siri wants to know whether we can get Cashews from Austria.

    ruwan Sunday, 16 September 2018 03:47 PM

    Dear Mr Precident. i have never been a president but you are. we appreciate leaders live by example and accountability. be the effect than the casue. wish you the best

    naradha Sunday, 16 September 2018 05:41 PM

    If the embassy officials were not present for an extended period of time without a valid excuse during office hours then, I think the President has made the correct decision. I hope he will make similar tough decisions regarding unions belonging to doctors, private bus companies and commuter trains who strike by holding general public to ransom.

    GH Sunday, 16 September 2018 06:48 PM

    Whole lot of whom serve under your administration, including yourself, are utterly irresponsible and unqualified the position they are holding.

    Ceylon Sunday, 16 September 2018 07:43 PM

    Now prople who voted you must recall you for not answering for their calls for your promisess,i catch thieves,i prosecute them,i bring back their stolen billions,etc are you said.

    Gamini Sunday, 16 September 2018 08:27 PM

    Surely this guy is gone nuts. He may extend ASP Liyanage's or Dayan Jayatilake's duties to cover Vienna, as well.

    S.P.Ramkmar Sunday, 16 September 2018 08:38 PM

    This correct action, She might nit come through foreign service, In this advanced technology world she should have to divert her official landline to her official / personal mobile phone,

    Samy Selvarajah Sunday, 16 September 2018 08:54 PM

    Dear Mr.President,Have you ever called any other Sri Lankan Embassies any where around the world, except the only one Austria? Have ever the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador A.S.P.Liyanage, who is a very busy person looking after his own interests (who does not have time to answer your calls, either). Have you taken action against this special envoy of yours? Good luck, President. God bless a true heart.

    MK Sunday, 16 September 2018 09:55 PM

    Similar to a long distance love quarrell... lover calls the gf... gf doesnt answer... lover becomes suspicious and gets her to come back home!

    Gamin Sunday, 16 September 2018 09:57 PM

    No big loss for Sri Lankans living in Austria.

    Madpre Sunday, 16 September 2018 10:27 PM

    What is wrong with our president? He doesn’t know how w to react to the situations and making childish decisions. This fellow came on luck with UNP votes and trying to tarnish the image of UNP

    Tom pachaya Sunday, 16 September 2018 11:46 PM

    Please replace Austrian ambassador with Navy CDE who is wanted for protecting paid assassins. The commander will then have diplomatic immunity from any CID questioning or future prosecution.

    Sunil P Monday, 17 September 2018 12:37 AM

    Attention all...do not mess with this president..he is no ordinary pushover got it .??? Cashew or peanuts everybody pull up there socks and tighten the belts..... office hours or after hours OK !!

    neil alvis Monday, 17 September 2018 05:03 AM

    is this guy fit to be the president of sri lanka? as his doctor diagnose, is he mentally sick? MaRaya was a megalomaniac abusing power and now we have a guy who should be institutionalised.

    lion Monday, 17 September 2018 06:17 AM

    This is the reality that no one can deny.This man is not up to the standard to the position he holds.

    Arnold Monday, 17 September 2018 06:27 AM

    He wants to FEEL like the president once in a while. So please excuse these silly little happenings.

    Ghost Monday, 17 September 2018 07:42 AM

    Getting tough, isn't he?

    Dan Monday, 17 September 2018 08:09 AM

    In actual fact people who elected him as the President are NUTS....

    Sara Monday, 17 September 2018 08:15 AM

    This is all what people expected from the Prez in 2015. Action not talk only. We are with you Mr Prez go ahead and make decisions, take action against the corrupt and useless Politicians too.

    Dilshan Silva Monday, 17 September 2018 11:52 AM

    How about good-for-nothing ambassador in Japan.He is good at eating FREE cutlets, patis, rice

    Gamin Monday, 17 September 2018 02:29 PM

    Good-for-nothing not only in Japan.


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