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Palihakkara finds fault with High Posts Committee

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/1

Sahan Weerasooriya

Top diplomatic appointment: Italian response awaited

By Shamindra Ferdinando

European Union member, Italy, is yet to accept former Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Rome. In response to The Island query regarding the delay in finalising the posting, the Public Diplomacy Division said that as per information received from the Sri Lanka Mission in Rome, the matter was currently being processed.

The High Posts Committee of Parliament chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena recently cleared the former Air Chief’s appointment as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Rome in the wake of Canadian refusal to accept Air Marshal Dias on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes allegations. The top post remains vacant in Ottawa.

Air Marshal Dias served as the 17th Commander of the Air Force from May 2019 to Nov 2020.

Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake on April 23 announced Air Marshal Dias had been given all party parliamentary committee approval to take over the Rome mission. War winning Army Chief Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, too, serves in the parliamentary High Posts Committee.

The US, Canada and EU countries have taken a tough stand in respect of totally unsubstantiated war crimes allegations which are not even being examined in a court of law.

Wartime Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told The Island that those who had served the country risking their lives during the conflict were being harassed by a section of the international community. Bogollagama referred to the US imposing travel restrictions on Army Chief General Shavendra Silva and Australia refusing visa to Maj. Gen. Chagie Gallage (he hadn’t retired at that time) as instances of extremely unfair judgments based on baseless hearsay accusations.

Meanwhile, one-time Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara emphasised that the Parliamentary High Posts Committee should be cautious in choosing heads of missions. The veteran diplomat who had served as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in New York however claimed that irreparable damage had been caused to the Foreign Service by clearing all top diplomatic appointments. Palihakkara said so in response to a query raised by The Island on a discussion organized by NMSJ (National Movement for Social Justice) to discuss the current status of the once proud service. The Island sought an explanation from the panel regarding parliamentary High Posts Committee chaired by successive Speakers, including Karu Jayasuriya, who now heads the NMSJ clearing all diplomatic appointments.

Foreign Service officer Sumith Nakandala and lecturer Kulani Wijebahu joined the discussion moderated by Prof. Rohan Samarajeewa.

Palihakkara suggested that parliamentary High Posts Committees should reject an applicant once in a way. The Island pointed out whichever political party in power, the body headed by the Speaker had been always used to facilitate political appointments and the incumbent government, too, was no exception. Palihakkara cited ruination caused by political interference while commending the efforts taken during Lakshman Kadirgamar’s tenure as the Foreign Minister to have some sort of balance as regards appointments shared by the Foreign Service and political appointees.

Palihakkara said that the country had to pay a huge price for the failure on the part of political parties to reach consensus on the LLRC (lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission) recommendations meant to address the whole gamut of issues, including accountability. Palihakkara, who served as a member of that Commission, alleged that political parties neglected the LLRC report. Had they succeeded in achieving consensus, the ground situation would have been different today, the one-time Northern Province Governor said.

Palihakkara explained how the parliamentary Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs could facilitate a bipartisan approach in matters of crucial national importance. The much respected former diplomat recalled how that particular Committee functioned during Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s tenure as the Prime Minister and in what way the mechanism could be used for Sri Lanka’s benefit.

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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka

Published

12 hours ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.

This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.

This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.

Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.

[PMD]

Latest News

President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system

Published

12 hours ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)

The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.

Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.

The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.

[PMD]

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Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Published

13 hours ago

2025/04/6

Priyan

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.

Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.

Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.

The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.

The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.

The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.

[PMD]