External Affairs Ministry attacks Rajiva for pointing out failures

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

The internal conflict in the External Affairs Ministry has once again being exposed by its attack on special Presidential envoy, MP Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha for pointing out weaknesses of the Ministry.

Part of an interview given by Wijesinha to the Daily News newspaper had been published in the newspaper.

Casting aside all diplomatic protocol, Additional Secretary of the Ministry, Kshenuka Seneviratne has responded to Wijesinha’s comments on a directive by the supervising MP of the External Affairs Ministry, Sajin Vass Gunawardena.

A senior Ministry official said that the External Affairs Ministry has never issued aggressive public statements in response to critical statements made by members of parliament or any other public representative about the Ministry or its affairs.

Seneviratne has already attacked several governing party members using the powers of MP Namal Rajapaksa and Gunawardena.

On a directive by Gunawradena, Seneviratne also called for explanation from Sri Lanka’s ambassador to France, Dr. Dayan Jayathileke recently and is also scheduled to call for explanation from Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Tamara Kunanayagam as well.

However, as stated by Wijesinha and Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, affairs at the External Affairs Ministry are in a mess.