Saturday, 24 March 2012
The diplomatic community is talking as to why Sri Lanka’s ambassador to France, Dayan Jayathileke was not got down to Geneva when the Sri Lankan mission in Geneva had got down Sri Lankan ambassadors from around the world to Geneva.
Although Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lankan ambassador to Germany Sarath Kongahage and former ambassador in Germany Kshenuka Seneviratne were in Geneva, Jayathileke who was instrumental in getting the resolution on Sri Lanka defeated in 2009 had not been called to Geneva. Jayathileke is stationed in Paris, which is less than hour away from Geneva.
In an interview to the media, Jayathileke has said that the country’s foreign policy should be handled only by the President and External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.
When the resolution on Sri Lanka was taken up on the 22nd at the UNHRC, Peiris was given a back seat while Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe played the main role.
Former Attorney General Mohan Peiris took the seat next to Samarasinghe.
Sources from Geneva say that Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Geneva, Tamara Kunanayagam, who has been praised by Jayathileke is likely to be sent once again as the Sri Lankan ambassador to Cuba.
When questioned by the media, Jayathileke has said that Samarasinghe could do a great service to the country’s Foreign Service if he limited his work only to his portfolio.
