Sri Lanka to shut down three overseas Missions

17 December 2021 11:56 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka is to shut three overseas Missions as part of moves to cut costs and save on much needed US Dollars, Daily Mirror learns.

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa urged continued support from all the Ministries to help Sri Lanka recover from the current economic crisis

Accordingly, the Foreign Ministry is to close the Sri Lankan Consulate in Frankfurt, the Embassy in Nigeria, and the Sri Lankan Consulate in Cyprus.

Foreign Minister, Professor G. L. Peiris told Daily Mirror, the operations of the Consulate in Frankfurt will be shifted to Berlin. He also said that under the current circumstances, it was found that the work of the Mission in Nigeria cannot continue. The Minister also said that the office of the Consulate General Of Sri Lanka in Cyprus will be closed. “This is part of a cost cutting process that all other ministries are also now following,” the Minister explained.

The Cabinet of Ministers had on Monday discussed the dollar crisis facing Sri Lanka and measures that need to be taken to address the issue, Daily Mirror learns.

Cabinet had met on Monday night and the meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in the absence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. According to sources, Sri Lanka’s urgent requirement for US Dollars had been discussed at the meeting.

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa had briefed the Cabinet on the status of Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves. The Finance Minister had appreciated the efforts of the Ministries to cut expenses. He said that the efforts had resulted in the Government making huge savings.

The Finance Minister urged continued support from all the Ministries to help Sri Lanka recover from the current economic crisis.(EASWARAN RUTNAM)

Comments - 32

N SENA Friday, 17 December 2021 12:19 PM

GOVT NO ENCOURAGING PRODUCTION OF EXPORT PRODUCTS AND ALSO TREATMENT OF FOREX EARNED IS ALSO NOT ENCOURAGING AT ALL

Lankan Friday, 17 December 2021 12:22 PM

Now everyone visit to GALLE face and will be do the “”” FLYING KITES””

Economists in waiting Friday, 17 December 2021 12:26 PM

This is a man-made disaster. While in 30 years of war we did not have this problem . Why and How this suddenly come out. 1) Unsustainable mega development projects such as Mattala Air port and sea ports, stadiums and some other projects put the country into an immense financial crisis. 2) Public fund are mishandled by some MPs and in fact, some are footed. this is secondly reasons. thirdly, the covid-19 and economic slow down has also contributed to this.

Yohan Friday, 17 December 2021 12:34 PM

Lol. So everything goin down hill. Why don't you guys resign and go for an election as you have failed very badly.

Chux Friday, 17 December 2021 12:41 PM

Yes good not only foriegn missions you will shut down the entire country as well

Nirmal Friday, 17 December 2021 12:43 PM

There is a huge population of Sri Lankans in German why closing Frankfurt? isnt it stupid decision

AC Friday, 17 December 2021 12:45 PM

Huge savings from one side as stated and from the other side humongous stealing of country’s wealth by the Rajapaksa’s clan. Don’t hoodwink the nation enough is enough.

Lanka Friday, 17 December 2021 12:47 PM

What about closing ceremony?? Anyone going to Nigeria and Cyprus JAYAWEWA

Dee Friday, 17 December 2021 12:48 PM

How about Seychelles? What benefits does the country have from that mission?

Waruna Friday, 17 December 2021 12:51 PM

That’ll be a loss to all those retired military personnel looking for plum overseas posts.

inability Friday, 17 December 2021 12:58 PM

Due to sheer inability of all Govts, we could not improve international trade with Germany.

ravin Friday, 17 December 2021 01:00 PM

Why not evaluate all foreign missions output? All appointments made lately? How many white elephants are their? Very good opportunity to assess everyone's output.

Lalith Friday, 17 December 2021 01:06 PM

Good thinking. A practical and responsible decision. A lot more could be closed down too if there was a proper rationalisation.

Punchi Banda Friday, 17 December 2021 01:29 PM

If we close our mission in Nigeria what hope have we of getting a loan or aid from Nigeria. Same applies to Cyprus

Asela Weerarathna Friday, 17 December 2021 01:41 PM

these three embassies save less amount to country. see London, USA expenses. Sri Lanka High Commission in London must cut half of its staff. currently, more than 40 there now .

sam Friday, 17 December 2021 01:49 PM

Biggest waste in SL is maintaining 225, most of whom are unemployable

REEZ Friday, 17 December 2021 02:16 PM

What a shame?

Eri Claud Friday, 17 December 2021 02:18 PM

Ministers are going abroad for holidays taking dollars to spend. Ask them not to go.

Murshid Idroos Friday, 17 December 2021 02:38 PM

Hope the ministries and ministers too need to be absorbed with other ministries

Gehan Friday, 17 December 2021 02:46 PM

Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!

Amila Friday, 17 December 2021 05:35 PM

We don't need a embassy in Nigeria unless we want to learn about corruption from them. Bye bye Nigeria.

GHT Friday, 17 December 2021 10:38 PM

Appreciated the best move.

VJ Friday, 17 December 2021 11:12 PM

Only three? Why not close the one in Lesotho, Seychelles, Uganda for a start. Two years ago when the UK was closing some of their overseas missions, Sri Lanka was opening new ones.

Ramesh Saturday, 18 December 2021 12:04 AM

I bet closing down the unproductive parliament will save more money.

Herman Perera Saturday, 18 December 2021 01:42 AM

These are not EMBASSIES They are 5 star Hotels.

DOJ Saturday, 18 December 2021 04:24 AM

How about the Los Angeles consulate. One has to only give this place a telephone call, then you will understand that it is a money draining disaster. It is there for the political lacky appointments. It's an embarrassment to SL.

Neel Guruge Saturday, 18 December 2021 04:44 AM

Better to close everywhere in the world .All places are appointed political henchmen and white elephants nothing benefits to the srilankan community in overseas .

Modaya Saturday, 18 December 2021 10:45 AM

Why only three embassies? Do others carry out their job well? It is prudent to close the parliament first and unproductive embassies thereafter.

roobarbie Saturday, 18 December 2021 04:56 PM

Shut down all. They are a waste of time, just providing resthouses to those deshapaluwos going on foreign jaunts.

Buddhist Saturday, 18 December 2021 08:56 PM

Has the Family moved all black money from these locations?

Stink Sunday, 19 December 2021 08:00 AM

So that some of our morons can do 'walkabout' with those 'saved' dollars?????

Gamarala Thursday, 23 December 2021 12:21 PM

Sri Lanka missions abroad is a joke, they are no use to anyone. The only missions we need are in the UK, USA, Russia, China, Australia.

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Sri Lanka to shut down three overseas Missions

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