A circular issued by the government in January stated that any minister or government official must obtain the President’s approval before meeting foreign dignitaries or envoys.
According to the opposition, this circular was specifically aimed at Prime Minister Harini Amarasooriya. Harini, an alumna of Indian and American universities, had also worked in an American-funded NGO. She has cultivated close ties not only with the United States and India but also with several Western countries. As a National List MP, she played a pivotal role in building relations between the JVP and Western nations.
These connections with the West, however, became a concern within the JVP. The opposition claims that the circular, issued through the Foreign Ministry, may have been an attempt to curb her foreign engagements. It is also rumoured that her foreign visits have been restricted by the JVP.
Despite this, she received an invitation from China — a visit that the JVP did not oppose. Her trip was organized by the Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka.
Chinese sources initially indicated that her visit was not given much importance. However, once news emerged that she had been invited to India, including a meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the Chinese embasy to Sri Lanka is believed to have advised Beijing to attach greater significance to her visit.
Reports suggest that Harini’s initial request to meet the Chinese President’s wife was not well received. Yet, following the announcement of her upcoming India visit, she is now likely to be granted that meeting.
The meeting with the Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of the Communist Party of China also underscores the importance of her visit to China. JVP General Secretary Tilvin visited China in June, but he did not get the opportunity to meet the Chairman there. China is not unaware that Tilvin is the second most powerful person after the President in Sri Lanka. However, what makes Harini more significant to them may be her connections with India, the United States, and Europe.
It is not clear whether NDTV India’s invitation to Harini to meet Prime Minister Modi came before or after the Chinese invitation. But her visits to both China and India will create unease within the JVP.
