The Sri Lankan government has taken steps to immediately recall 16 officials serving in diplomatic missions who were appointed based on political connections. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed these officials of the decision, and they are scheduled to return to the country soon Dinamina Newspaper reports.
Among those recalled are Dr. Lalith Chandradasa, brother-in-law of former Presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who served as the Sri Lankan Consul General in Los Angeles, USA; Anura Fernando, Consul General in Shanghai, China; and Dr. D. Venkateswaran, Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, India. Mr. S.M.A.F. Maulana, Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has also been included in the list.
Additional diplomats recalled include Nishan Manik Muthukrishna from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, USA; Tharaka Dissanayake, Third Secretary, and Seniya Punchinilame, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, UK.
Furthermore, Sahasra Bandara, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Paris, France; Melki Chandima Perera, Third Secretary at the Embassy in Rome, Italy; and Dinuka Carmeline Fernandopulle, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra, Australia, have been asked to return.
Others recalled are Pandula de Zoysa, Counselor at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow, Russia; Dr. Anwar Mohamed Hamdani from the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi, India; Priyangika Dissanayake, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon; and Yashmin Hilmi Mohamed, Second Secretary at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Additionally, Ms. Ashwini Hapangama, Counselor at the Sri Lankan Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, and Janaka Ranatunga, Minister Counselor in Stockholm, Germany, are set to return.
The government has indicated that further recalls may follow, targeting individuals serving in diplomatic roles due to family or political affiliations.
