16 politically appointed ambassadors, high commissioners to be recalled with immediate effect

• Political appointees service in capitals such as Washington DC, London, Jakarta, and Abu Dhabi
• Their performances to be reviewed upon return

By Kelum Bandara

The government has decided to recall 16 political appointees serving as ambassadors and high commissioners of Sri Lanka’s overseas missions with immediate effect, a Foreign Ministry source said yesterday.

However, the list of the mission chiefs to be recalled were not available immediately. According to the source, the letters have already been sent to these mission heads.

The source said the government, upon their return to the country with effect from December 1, will review their performances in the respective countries and decide whether to reappoint any of them or not.

In Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service, political appointees serve even in some key capitals such as London, Washington DC, and Jakarta in Indonesia and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Some of them were appointed during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the others during the time of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Besides, there are numerous political appointees who serve as junior rankers in Sri Lanka’s overseas missions and some of them are relatives of politicians. The total cadre base of the service has also not been filled yet.

In addition to political appointees, retired Foreign Service officials also serve in different capitals at the moment.