No intention to harm SL, need to remove any misunderstanding: Swiss Envoy

Ambassador of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, Hanspeter Mock, who called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today commented on the Embassy staffer incident and said Switzerland harboured no intention to do any harm to Sri Lanka.

The Ambassador called on President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

“We wish to work together for the benefit of both countries. Also, we need to overcome this situation of tension and to remove any misunderstanding,” the Swiss Ambassador said.

In response, President Rajapaksa explained to the Ambassador the progress of investigations into the incident so far.

“It is very well established by now that the alleged abduction is a total fabrication. Irrefutable evidence such as Uber reports, telephone conversations and CCTV footages point to this fact. The Embassy official must have been compelled by some interested parties to bring myself and my government into disrepute. It is not clear why the alleged victims acted in such a manner,” President said.

President Rajapaksa said that he saw no wrong in the initial reaction by the Swiss Embassy when this incident was first reported. “It is justifiable. If a member of its staff is in trouble, the Embassy has to intervene”.

The President requested the Ambassador to cooperate with the government to conduct the investigation to its end so that the truth would emerge.

Conveying warm congratulations to the President over his recent election victory on his and his government’s behalf, the Ambassador said that he especially appreciated President Rajapaksa’s remark that “he is the President of all Sri Lankans”.

“Switzerland is happy that traditional relations with Sri Lanka remain strong and mutually beneficial,” the Ambassador said.

First Secretary of the Mission, Sidonia Gabriel accompanied the Ambassador. (Lahiru Pothmulla)