Erik Solheim praises President, calls for international support

Former diplomat  Erik Solheim

Former diplomat Erik Solheim yesterday voiced strong support for new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging the international community to back his leadership.

Taking to ‘X’, he highlighted Dissanayake’s early achievements since assuming office just two weeks ago and expressed optimism about the direction Sri Lanka is heading under his leadership.

Solheim listed out five key points, as below;

nHe got the diplomacy exactly right. First meeting with the Indian high commissioner, then the Chinese ambassador, signalling that India is most important for Sri Lanka, then comes China next. Later he met ambassadors from everywhere else, the West, Russia and more. This is a clear signal of a “Sri Lanka first” foreign policy.

nImmediately upon swearing in he visited the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and was blessed by the Mahanayakes. Later, he met with Tamil and Muslim political and religious leaders. His insistence on creating a Sri Lanka for all ethnic communities is strong.

nHe has reached out to the business community underlining that only working closely with business, can he create a prosperous Sri Lanka and bring the resources needed to improve education, health and opportunities for the poor.

nHe brings a non-corrupt core of people to State power. By reducing luxury car allowances for Ministers, he signals a more modest life style for leaders. 

nDressing in khaki he signals a leadership close to people.

“None of this will by itself solves all problems in Sri Lanka. It will not calm all scepticism to a left wing leader among diplomats. But it is for sure a good start. Everyone should now roll up their sleeves and help him build a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka,” Solheim noted.