SL envoy’s stint in Beijing ends, but asked to stay extra 12 days

• Govt. yet to find a replacement 

By Kelum Bandara
Sri Lankan Ambassador in Beijing Dr. Palitha Kohona whose stint ended last Friday has been asked to stay there for another twelve days since the government is yet to find a replacement, Daily Mirror learns.
He is now supposed to return to the country on August 12 as a result. According to informed sources, the Foreign Ministry is trying to post a career diplomat in Beijing ahead of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit in October.

Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Minister Sun Weidong hosted an impressive banquet in a lavishly refurbished Hutong (courtyard residence in old Beijing) to bid farewell to departing Ambassador Dr. Kohona. The Vice Minister waxed eloquent on Ambassador Kohona’s impressive contribution to strengthening the bilateral relationship between China and Sri Lanka and wished him well.