Shenali D Waduge

Since her appointment, U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung has emerged as a highly controversial figure in Sri Lanka—not because of silence, but due to outspoken ideological and political activism going far beyond that of her predecessors. Her actions, including hoisting banned Pride flags, meeting political activists, funding media and NGOs to push Western gender narratives, and tattooing Sri Lanka’s map on her body, have drawn deep criticism.

Ambassador Chung’s conduct appears to cross multiple diplomatic red lines—clearly violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).

1. Hoisting the Pride Flag — now a violation of U.S. Law

In June 2022 & 2023 Ambassador Chung raised the LGBTQIA+ Pride flag at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, publicly celebrating Pride Month in Sri Lanka. This act occurred even after the U.S. government had banned the display of Pride flags at embassies worldwide under a March 2024 funding provision—reaffirmed in January 2025 under the Trump administration’s One Flag Policy.”

Blatant contradiction: What’s illegal in Washington was executed in Colombo—on foreign soil, in disregard of both U.S. and Sri Lankan sensitivities.

Moreover, envoys must respect local culture not force alien cultures upon host nations.

Donald Trump Bans Pride Flags at US Embassies: Report: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-bans-pride-blm-flags-report-2018810

• Pushing LGBTQIA+ Activism in a Sovereign State

Chung has actively:

• Hosted LGBTQIA+ activists at the U.S. Embassy,
• Funded training for journalists on LGBTQIA+ vocabulary and inclusive media,
• Supported events like Generation Pride 2024, which included:
  • Calls to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA),
  • Resistance to IMF economic programs,
  • Demands for gender identity reform and Palestinian solidarity.

These activities are not neutral rights-based” efforts. They constitute foreign-led ideological restructuring of a sovereign nation’s moral and legal fabric.

Biden Administration Promotes LGBTQI Rights in Foreign Policy, Threatening International Religious Freedom

https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/116508/documents/HHRG-118-GO06-20231025-SD003.pdf

Trump signs executive orders proclaiming there are only two biological sexes, halting diversity programs https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/trump-sign-executive-orders-proclaiming-are-only-two-biological-sexes-rcna188388

• The Sri Lanka Tattoo: Cultural affection or symbolic possession?

Not stopping there, it emerged that Julie Chung had tattooed the outline of Sri Lanka on her left leg—a gesture she did not replicate for Iraq, Cambodia, Colombia, or Vietnam where she was previously stationed. So why only Sri Lanka, that too on the bottom part of her leg.

In Sri Lanka’s post-colonial psyche, this isn’t endearing. It’s read as a marking of territory, reflecting subtle neo-colonial symbolism and inappropriate cultural overreach.

• Using USAID to fund ideological agendas

Ambassador Chung has overseen U.S. aid flows via USAID to NGOs advocating for:

• The decriminalization of homosexuality (targeting Sections 365/365A),
• Legal reforms promoting gender ideology,
• Democracy promotion” campaigns framed around Western progressive values.

These efforts are now under increasing domestic scrutiny. Politicians like Namal Rajapaksa and Wimal Weerawansa have demanded parliamentary inquiries into USAID’s political influence.

• Rewiring Media via MoJo Lanka and Journalism Training

At the MoJo Lanka Festival, Ambassador Chung celebrated the role of citizen journalists” and youth empowerment.” However, such programs were also tied to:

• Gender sensitivity modules,
• Inclusivity training, and
• U.S.-backed editorial standards on LGBTQIA+ and progressive” narratives.

This appears to be soft power masquerading as media development—a strategy to reshape national discourse via sponsored journalism.

• Vienna Convention Violations: A Legal Breakdown

https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/9_1_1961.pdf

Vienna Article	Violation Details
Article 41(1) – Non-interference	Promoting internal legal reforms, supporting controversial protests, and funding ideological media
Article 41(2) – Official channels	Pride flag ceremonies, NGO engagement without MFA coordination
Article 3(1)(e) – Promote friendly ties	Disrespecting national traditions and moral codes
Spirit of Convention	Cultural appropriation (tattoo), biased activism

• Expanded Controversies: Interference Beyond LGBTQIA+ Issues

 Interference in Domestic Politics

• MP Wimal Weerawansa accused Chung of involvement in the 2022 Aragalaya” protests and election manipulation attempts.
• Chung dismissed the allegations as baseless” and outright lies.”
• Her first visit for the year was to the Malayali community signalling a new minority community group that is likely to be the next project of the US

 Obstruction of USAID Scrutiny

• Politicians, including Namal Rajapaksa, demanded investigations into USAID’s financial footprint.
• Chung reportedly opposed such probes, denying regime change allegations.

 Warnings from Parliament

• The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security formally advised Ambassador Chung to refrain from commenting on Sri Lanka’s internal matters, especially regarding May 9, 2022 events.

 Criticism of National Legislation

• Chung opposed the Online Safety Bill and the PTA, citing concerns about human rights.
• Critics called this blatant interference in national policy.

US Ambassador concerned over ‘continued use of PTA’ in Sri Lanka

https://www.adaderana.lk/news/95319/us-ambassador-concerned-over-continued-use-of-pta-in-sri-lanka

 Election Commission Meeting

• Her meeting with Sri Lanka’s Election Commission drew social media criticism for potential electoral interference.
• The Commission chairman later said it was only a courtesy call.

 Public Demonstrations

• CAPSL (Coalition Against Partition of Sri Lanka) held protests outside the U.S. Embassy, accusing Chung of abusing diplomatic privilege and ideological overreach.

 Impersonation Scandal

• A fake Facebook page impersonating Ambassador Chung caused public confusion, prompting the U.S. Embassy to issue an official warning. While not her fault, it reflects the highly contentious environment around her tenure.

Sri Lanka Is Not for Sale or Symbolic Colonization

From ideological interference and Pride flag hoisting, to USAID’s influence and symbolic gestures like tattoos, Ambassador Julie Chung’s tenure in Sri Lanka represents a textbook case of diplomatic mission drift. Her actions do not merely raise eyebrows—they violate diplomatic protocols, disrespect national sovereignty, and weaponize soft power for ideological gain.

• Sri Lanka is not a testing ground for Western social engineering.
• Foreign envoys must engage with respect—not activism, not ideological imposition.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must formally address this breach of norms & diplomatic protocols.

Shenali D Waduge