News

Govt. reverses top diplomatic appointment to Tokyo

Published

3 years ago

2022/08/11

by Shamindra Ferdinando

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government has reversed the appointment of retired Admiral Jayanath Colombage as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Tokyo.

The Previous Foreign Secretary, Dr. Colombage, was to succeed political appointee Sanjiv Gunasekera, who resigned in June. The new administration has nominated senior career Foreign Service officer Rodney Perera, as Gunasekera’s replacement.

The government has informed the High Posts Committee (HPC) of Parliament of its decision to nominate Perera instead of Colombage. Authoritative sources said that examination of such diplomatic appointments by the HPC, chaired by the Speaker, was a formality.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa cleared the way for ex-Navy Commander Colombage to take up the posting in Japan, after career foreign service officer, Aruni Wijewardane, was brought in as Foreign Secretary, in late May.

The appointment was made amidst the political campaign, demanding the resignation of the government. Sources pointed out that Sanjiv Gunasekera announced his intention to resign on May 09, the day the anti-government protest campaign erupted, in the wake of SLPP goons going on the rampage, at the Galle Face protest site.

Sources said that Rodney Perera’s elder brother Ronald Perera, PC, recently received appointment as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC). They are sons of the late Cabinet Minister Paul Perera, a staunch Wickremesinghe loyalist.

Rodney Perera served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador, in Washington, before being replaced by ex-minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, in Dec 2021. Perera received the appointment in June 2019. Prior to that, Perera served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union.

At the time of his new appointment, Rodney Perera was serving the US-based Sri Lanka Foundation as its Chief Executive Officer.

Sources said that the government needs to mend relations with Japan, badly affected due to the cancellation of the JAICA funded Light Rail project. in late Sept 2020. The project was meant to ease traffic congestion in Colombo and its suburbs. The project was to be launched when the change of government, in Nov 2019, led to its cancellation, after having done much preparatory work.

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Sun directly overhead Thunukkai, Olumadu, Oddusudan, Kumulamunei, Chemmalei at about 12:11 noon. today [13]

Published

10 mins ago

2025/04/13

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 14th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Thunukkai, Olumadu, Oddusudan, Kumulamunei, Chemmalei at about 12:11 noon.

Latest News

Temporally pause rooftop solar during day time from 13th to 21st April -CEB

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

The Ceylon Electricity Board has appealed to all rooftop solar owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar systems during day time hours (until 3pm each day) from April 13th to 21st to prevent partial power outages or nationwide blackouts which may occur.

News

Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country – PM

Published

10 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.

The Prime Minister said that:

“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.

Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.

While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?

Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.

On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.

The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.

Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.

Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”

The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]