Non-career diplomats asked to return by this month

The government has given time till the end of this month for all non-career diplomats appointed by the former rule to return to the country, a minister said yesterday.

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane told the Daily Mirror yesterday the Ministry sent an advisory last week recalling all the politically appointed Sri Lankan heads of missions. He said there are over 20 such appointments made by the last government.

“We have given time till the end of this month. Some of them will anyway conclude their tenure at the same time,” he said.

He also said there would be a reshuffle of career diplomats posted to various capitals.

Asked whether there would be a replacement of Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva ahead of the UNHRC session, he said, “We will sit down shortly to discuss the Geneva process. Any decision will be taken only after that.” (Kelum Bandara)