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Foreign Ministry Snakes Under The Grass - March 3,2008

Ira de Silva London, Ontario, Canada

The Editor
The Island
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Dear Sir:

Re: Foreign Ministry Snakes Under The Grass - March 3,2008

Reference your comments regarding the disease affecting our envoys overseas, it is surprising to read of the actions of our current envoy in the U.K. who unfortunately seems to be suffering from both an inferiority complex and trying to advance to positions which she clearly is not qualified for. What is surprising is that given her blunders she has been kept in her current position, which is a very important one for Sri Lanka. From all accounts she has let the country down during her term. For that, those who appointed her should be taken to task, particularly because in October 2006, President Mahinda Rajapakse called all diplomats to Colombo and made it clear that he expected them to support the country and perform their duties diligently. This envoy obviously did not understand his message, neither did the foreign ministry. The question now is what the foreign ministry is going to do given her blunders and inefficiency. Her objection to the comment on the British Foreign Secretary is pathetic, unprofessional, undiplomatic, unpatriotic and demeans Sri Lanka. To "promote" her would be to add insult to injury.

Regarding Ambassador D. Jayatilleke and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe, this country owes them a debt of gratitude for their relentless support of Sri Lanka overseas. They have demonstrated their understanding of the grave dangers Sri Lanka faces from foreign interventionist agendas. The expatriate community, which has no confidence in many of our representatives overseas because of their inaction, indifference, unpatriotic attitudes and self indulgence is greatly appreciative of their efforts. To silence them is to endanger Sri Lanka. Other envoys, particularly in the west, where there is the most danger to Sri Lanka, when they do speak, merely display their ignorance and gutless servitude to their host countries opinions and agendas. They should be given instructions from Ambassador Jayatilleke and Prof. Wijesinghe.

As you correctly point out, sadly for Sri Lanka, we do not have a foreign minister of Kadirgamar's calibre to defend this country but Dr. Jayatilleke and Prof. Wijesinghe are doing their best to fill the void. It is time for President Rajapakse to acknowledge their efforts, re-iterate his call for our envoys overseas to do a proper job, have the Foreign Ministry issue proper instructions for envoys to follow and judge them on their performance. Should they get a failing grade they should be immediately recalled, and given jobs in keeping with their mediocre abilities.

Yours truly,

Ira de Silva
London, Ontario, Canada


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