Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Wednesday Jan 08, 2025
Tuesday, 7 January 2025 03:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
Making foreign relations more effective and proper, the Presidential Secretariat has issued a special circular detailing protocols for interactions between Government Ministries, institutions, and foreign entities. It emphasises adherence to proper diplomatic practices starting from 1 January and these guidelines pertain to engagements with foreign governments, international organisations, diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lankan missions abroad.
The circular, signed by Secretary to the President Dr. N.S. Kumanayake, directed to Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and Provincial Governor Secretaries, addresses concerns regarding the direct scheduling of meetings by Ambassadors and Heads of Missions based in Colombo for delegations visiting Sri Lanka.
The main purpose of these directives is to streamline diplomatic interactions, ensure compliance with international protocols, and maintain coherence in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy communications.
It highlights that such practices bypass established diplomatic norms. To rectify this, the circular mandates that the Alliance Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry be informed in advance about programs and schedules for visiting delegations. The Alliance Division will subsequently coordinate suitable arrangements with relevant local authorities.
This policy applies not only to national-level officials but also to Governors and Provincial Ministers. Requests for direct appointments involving Sri Lankan Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, or their staff to meet Governors or Provincial Ministers must also be routed through the Alliance Division.
Similarly, Ambassadors and Heads of Missions residing in Colombo, as well as visiting delegations, are required to consult the Foreign Affairs Ministry for guidance on appropriate meeting levels with the President, Prime Minister, or other Ministers.
According to the circular, it explicitly prohibits lower-level officials from foreign embassies, missions, or international organisations – including the United Nations – from arranging meetings with Sri Lanka’s President or Prime Minister.
It also clearly mentioned that no Ministry or institution is authorised to release media statements related to Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, international relations, or matters involving foreign countries without prior written clearance from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
