Sri Lanka: Foreign Ministry clarifies presence of Heads of Missions/ Posts and senior Officials in Colombo

In a clarification note issued by the Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, it was revealed that "Some Sri Lanka’s Head of Missions abroad are presently in Sri Lanka are on their personal leave during the holiday season, while a few others were requested to be in Colombo for consultations on relevant issues."

Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry in its statement further clarified, "The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news items published recently in some sections of the print media claiming that some Heads of Missions and Officials serving in Sri Lanka Missions abroad are in the country for election related work.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that some Heads of Missions/ Posts and senior Officials have been in Colombo after making satisfactory acting arrangements to avail themselves of their personal leave during the holiday season while a few others were requested to be in Colombo for consultations on relevant issues.

The Foreign Ministry provided air tickets to those Officers who were requested to travel to Colombo for consultations. The Foreign Ministry is neither paying nor has arranged local hospitality to these officers during their stay in Colombo as stated in these news items. These Heads of Missions/ Posts and Officials who are currently in Sri Lanka will leave Sri Lanka after their leave/consultations are over. "

- Asian Tribune -