The Sri Lankan government is in the final stages of finalizing appointments for the country’s heads of missions abroad, with former Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya set to assume the role of Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Jayasuriya will replace Mohan Peiris, also a former Chief Justice, who was recalled in November last year alongside several other political appointees.
Meanwhile, Yasoja Gunasekara, the most senior member of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, is expected to be appointed as the High Commissioner to Australia, based in Canberra. Mahishini Colonne, who previously served as Deputy High Commissioner to India from 2011 to 2014, is likely to be named Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi. Both are seasoned career diplomats with extensive experience in foreign affairs.
However, a significant number of Sri Lanka’s embassies abroad are expected to be headed by non-career (political) appointees. Among them is Professor Janak Kumarasinghe, an academic from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Additionally, recently retired Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, is set to receive a diplomatic post.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the final list of appointees is being prepared.
Last year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration recalled 16 politically appointed heads of mission. Minister Herath stated that the new appointments will be a mix of career diplomats and professionals from various fields, selected based on the specific requirements of each diplomatic mission.
