Milinda to be High Commissioner of Cabinet rank to India

• Foreign Secretary says that Mr. Moragoda would be appointed because he was a person of international stature

By Kelum Bandara

The government is to appoint one time Minister Milinda Moragoda, as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner of Cabinet rank to India, an official said.   

This is the first time Sri Lanka is going to appoint an envoy of Cabinet rank. Once such status is afforded, Mr. Moragoda will be able to interact with the leaders of both the countries directly without the procedure of going through the respective foreign ministries.  

He served as an MP between 2001 and 2010. Afterwards, he also served as the Minister of Tourism between 2007 and 2009, and Minister for Economic Reform, Science and Technology and Deputy Minister for Plan Implementation and Development (2002–2004). He also served as the Minister of Justice and Law Reform (2009-2010).  

Asked about it, Foreign Secretary Prof. Jayanath Colombage told Daily Mirror that Mr. Moragoda would be appointed High Commissioner of Cabinet rank because he was a person of international stature.