Govt. clarifies delays in appointment of ambassadors

Saturday, 4 January 2025 02:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism has addressed concerns raised in recent media reports regarding delays in appointing Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Sri Lankan missions abroad. The Ministry yesterday clarified that these vacancies were created following the termination of several politically appointed representatives after the formation of the new Government. It assured the public that the process to fill these vacancies is underway, though it requires time to ensure compliance with constitutional and diplomatic protocols.

According to the Ministry, the appointment of Ambassadors and High Commissioners is a meticulous process that begins with nominations by the President, as stipulated in the Sri Lankan Constitution. “These appointments, however, must receive the consent of the host nations, a formal diplomatic approval known as agreement. The request for agreement is submitted through Sri Lanka’s foreign missions to the respective countries.

The time taken to secure this consent varies, with some countries completing the process within one to two months, while others may require up to four months due to their internal procedures,” the Ministry said.

Once the agreement is obtained, the nominee is required to appear before the Committee on High Officials in Parliament. This step follows a mandatory two-week public notice period, during which members of the public can raise objections, if any, to the proposed appointment. After receiving the Committee’s approval, the nominee undergoes a two-week induction program organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only upon completing this program can the Ambassador or High Commissioner officially assume their duties in the respective country.

The Ministry acknowledged that the timeframes involved in this process could vary, depending on factors such as the host country’s response times and procedural requirements within Sri Lanka. However, it stressed that these steps are vital to ensure transparency, adherence to constitutional mandates, and alignment with international diplomatic standards.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to expediting the process while maintaining the integrity of the appointment procedure. It emphasised that the appointments would reflect the Government’s intention to ensure competent and capable representation for Sri Lanka in the international arena.