Controversy surrounds appointment of Ganeshanathan as Dy. High Commissioner in Chennai

15 September 2025 09:53 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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The recent appointment of Kedeeshwaran Ganeshanathan, a supporter of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), as Sri Lanka's Deputy High Commissioner to Chennai has sparked significant concern among diplomatic circles and within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kedeeshwaran, who has no prior diplomatic or foreign service experience, has been named to one of Sri Lanka's most strategically important overseas postings. The Deputy High Commission in Chennai plays a critical role in managing the country’s relationship with Southern India, particularly given the close cultural, political, and economic ties between the two regions.

Sources within the Foreign Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the decision, noting that there are numerous experienced career diplomats within the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) who are fully qualified to take on such a role.

"There are capable officers who have been trained for years in diplomacy and international relations, and they are being overlooked," one senior official said. "This is a serious posting that requires expertise, not political affiliation."

Critics have accused the government of politicizing the Foreign Service, alleging that the appointment was made due to political loyalty rather than merit. Ganeshanathan is a known JVP activist but has never held any formal position within the Foreign Service or had any prior diplomatic training.

Comments - 14

Varsity Kollo Monday, 15 September 2025 10:02 AM

No JVP er has ever worked. They hang around with degrees gained through dummies who sat for them with the connivance of their friendly superiors

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Down Under Monday, 15 September 2025 10:10 AM

I have first hand experience of a so called SLFS officer appointed as the consul general for Australia speaking in broken English and utter bad pronunciation where he became a laughing stock at this event. Hence you first send these so called SLFS officers to Elocution classes or send someone who can converse fluently in English. Most of these so called SLFS officers are only good for non english speaking countries.

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Palitha Monday, 15 September 2025 02:07 PM

Solution is not sending JVP supporters who are worse than the SLFS officers. At least the SLFS guys maybe capable of broken English- the JVP guys would be horrible when it comes to their language skills.

0 10

Nimal R Monday, 15 September 2025 02:17 PM

There is a tough exam to select officers for the SLFS and even if someone passes the written examination, they have to go through oral interviews to be selected. Hence, this is utter false. May be that person has lied that he or she is a SLFS officer or you are trying to say that what the government has done in this instance is right.

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Be smart Monday, 15 September 2025 02:43 PM

Please talk in Sinhala though in abroad,don't try to be a Kalusuddha.In London there are many from various countries who speak broken English.

0 6

Chams Monday, 15 September 2025 10:48 AM

This is not acceptable by any means! This is supposed to be the people's government, which has no choice but to do the right things.

4 26

Well done Monday, 15 September 2025 10:54 AM

Don't worry. With only ten months into administration, this is just the beginning of what you should expect for the next four years. The government that came to power to eradicate cronyism and nepotism is blatantly violating them! More to come. Keep your fingers crossed!!! Well done, voters!

11 40

Lion Monday, 15 September 2025 11:32 AM

This is not a good move and President should seriously consider this matter. If the foreign minister could clarify why he was appointed giving valid reasons, that will settle the matter.

1 20

GOOD FOR SOME OF THE PAST POLITICIANS/PARTY'S AND BAD FOR THE GOVT IN POWER!! WHAT A LOAD OF BULLDUST. Monday, 15 September 2025 11:43 AM

LION, WHAT ABOUT THE PAST GOVTS WHO RULED FOR DECADES AND DECADES, SOME SENT THEIR FAMILY, EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND STOOGES TOO. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF NPP/JVP ARE SENT, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND BRAINS TO DO THE JOB AND FOLLOW THEIR JOB DISCRIPTIONS. AS FOR LACK OF ENGLISH, THERE ARE INTERPRETERS AROUND THE WORK WHO WORK IN A PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY. WE MUST ALL REMEMBER THE TAMILS, TIGERS AND JVP WERE NEVER GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN MOST PUBLIC DEPTS AND HAD NO ALTERNATIVE THAN TO LACK EDUCATION, SKILLS AND OR TRAINING, THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD AND OR HAD HELP FROM FAMILY WENT ABROAD.

5 2

B P Monday, 15 September 2025 12:15 PM

Yes Yes This has been done surreptitiously.Baby president knows nothing.

2 5

Gayan Monday, 15 September 2025 12:20 PM

NPP government will not make a mistake. Recently high Posts Comittee halted an appointment of Vijitha Bandara Herath for lying to parliament by presenting wrong credentials, impersonated as Honoray consul and obtaining unlawfully obtaining and using an official passport. This gentleman further going around telling people that Minister will sort out and he will be appointed . Knowing NPP government and the Minister will not entertain this. Similarly if Chennai appointment has issues in the credentials and the background it should looked into.

3 2

Lanka Monday, 15 September 2025 12:33 PM

When MR appointed his friends and relatives to some top level positions you did not open your mouth in fear of bad consequences even you would have been sent to next world by him and his cohort but now you are talking too much about this one appointment: He is a Tamil and he knows their culture and customs so it is good for us to know all their move : You have be wise in this appointment

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B P Monday, 15 September 2025 03:04 PM

Most people elected NPP hoping good governance beccause they did not like what Rs were doing. When NPP goes the same way, some ask why didt't you criticize Rs during that time. People chased out Rs, not expecting NPP to act similarly,

3 1

Maybe a strategic move Monday, 15 September 2025 01:43 PM

Far better to have someone without Elam agenda! Otherwise prone to plotting and scheming.

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