Civil society calls on High Post Committee to reject Dayan J’s nomination as Envoy to Russia

Letter slams vociferous former ambassador as ‘ardent champion’ of Rajapaksa regime

Over 100 civil society activists, including leading academics, researchers and religious leaders have written to the High Post Committee of Parliament urging its members to reject the nomination of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, calling him an apologist for the previous Rajapaksa regime and one of its most ardent champions to date.

108 civil society activists, academics, researchers and grassroots organisations pointed out that when Dr. Jayatilleke was sent on diplomatic postings to Geneva and Paris when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in power, he had furthered a personal agenda which had detrimental consequences to Sri Lanka among its important allies in the world, the letter to the Committee noted.



“If that was the case under the Rajapaksa administration, where Dr. Jayatilleke’s ideological inclinations found resonance, then the potential for damage to this current administration which seemingly does not align with his ethno-nationalist views will be significantly greater,” the letter said, pointing out the chasm between the political scientist’s thinking and the policies of the ruling Unity Government.

“We note that Dr. Jayatilleke’s ideology and the ideology that shaped the January 8, 2015 movement for change are poles apart,” the civil society activists said in their representations to the High Post Committee.

The activists claimed that Dr. Jayatilleke had denounced the very concept of Yahapalanaya and members of the ruling coalition. 

“He has stood stoically against democratic reform and reconciliation initiatives, repeatedly attacking progressive ministers and leaders of the current Government for making concessions to victims of war through releasing lands and setting up the Office of Missing Persons,” the strongly-worded letter states.

In their letter, the activists noted that with the political change in 2015 they were relieved to see President Sirisena and the coalition government reverting to a more conciliatory tone where there was recognition of past abuses and the need for genuine reforms towards reconciliation. It was also heartening to see the Government of Sri Lanka rebuilding bridges within the international community and engaging in a constructive manner to further the interests of Sri Lanka, not the whims of particular individuals, the letter to the Committee added. The activists said this shift had been recognised by the international community, which resulted in President Sirisena being invited to events such as the prestigious Group of Seven (G7) summit in Japan and Anti-Corruption Summit in the United Kingdom both in 2016.

“This hard work of rebuilding Sri Lanka’s image and reputation to be a truly democratic and plural country where all citizens are equal and a country that values its international standing can be damaged with the promotion of individuals who were not only apologists of the previous Government but also, to date, its most ardent champions,” the letter said.

“It is in this context we question the nomination of Dr. Jayatilleke to a senior diplomatic post,” the letter noted, calling on the High Post Committee to reject the nomination.

The activists called on President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to “nominate individuals who are able to best represent the reforms promised in 2015 and not those who deliberately seek to undermine them.”

Among the signatories to the letter are Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Prof. Carmena Guneratne, Ven. Mahagalkadawala Pugnasara Thero, Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Dhanesh Cassie Chetty, Mangalika Fernando, Bhavani Fonseka, Sandya Ekneligoda, Gamini Viyangoda, Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya, Shreen Saroor and Ven. Dambara Amila Thero. Many of the signatories to the letter to the Committee strongly supported President Sirisena’s candidacy at the January 2015 election.

News of Dr. Jayatilleke’s nomination as Sri Lanka’s envoy to Russia sent shockwaves since the political scientist remains an ardent supporter of former President Rajapaksa and a staunch critic of the current administration – particularly the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Once media reports emerged that he had been designated as Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Jayatilleka confirmed the news on his official Facebook account that he had been invited to serve by President Maithripala Sirisena.

“I accepted, and have been nominated, but nothing has been finalised,” he said.

On 12 June, the High Post Committee issued a public notice that it would examine the suitability of individuals nominated to top Government posts, naming Dr. Jayatilleke as the Government’s Ambassador Designate to Russia on or before 26 June.