2 February 2022 07:56 am Views - 203
By Kelum Bandara
Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing is hamstrung in the discharge of duties since it is understaffed at the moment, Daily Mirror learns.
An informed source said the deputy ambassador has been recalled leaving Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona to work only with one, third secretary. The other third secretary has also fallen sick. Also, a commercial attaché has not been appointed for the last five months making it difficult for the mission to carry out its trade and investment related activities.
Sri Lanka is currently seeking US $ 2.5 billion investments from China in addition to tourism promotion. Also, the government has sought a US $ 500 million loan from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank headquartered in Beijing.
According to the source, the embassy is handicapped in initiating negotiations, due to being understaffed. The source said attention should be paid to the mission in China since it is a country that matters a lot for the country, in terms of financial cooperation.