The government has announced the immediate recall of 16 diplomats assigned to various foreign missions during the previous administration, citing family ties and political affiliations. These officials have been formally notified, and according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are expected to return to Sri Lanka.
Among those recalled are Dr. Lalith Chandradasa, former Sri Lankan Consul General in Los Angeles, USA; Anura Fernando, former Consul General in Shanghai, China; and Dr. D. Venkateswaran, former Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, India. The list also includes S. M. A. F. Maulana, previously the Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Others affected by the decision include Nishana Manik Muthuthrisna, former Minister at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, USA; Tharaka Dissanayake and Seniya Punchinilame, both Third Secretaries at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, UK. Sahasu Bandara, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Paris, France; Meke Vandima Perera, Third Secretary at the Embassy in Rome, Italy; and Dinaka Carmeline Fernando Pulle, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra, Australia, have also been asked to return.
Additional officials subject to recall are Pandula de Soyka, Counsellor at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow, Russia; Dr. Anwar Mohamed Hadani, Minister Counsellor at the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi, India; Priyanka Dissanayake, Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon; and Yamin Hilma Mohamed, Second Secretary at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
The government has also recalled Ashwini Tapangama, Counsellor at the Sri Lankan Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, and Janaka Ranatunga, Minister Counsellor in Stockholm, Germany.
The Foreign Ministry indicated that further recalls may follow, targeting diplomatic appointments influenced by familial and political connections.
