The Sri Lankan government has made the decision to recall 16 political appointees serving as ambassadors and high commissioners in overseas missions, effective immediately, as reported by a source from the Foreign Ministry. Although the specific list of those being recalled is not currently available, letters have already been dispatched to the mission heads. Upon their return to Sri Lanka on December 1, the government will assess their performances in their respective postings to determine potential reappointments.
Political appointees hold notable positions in key locations such as London, Washington D.C., Jakarta, and Abu Dhabi. Many of these individuals were appointed during the administrations of former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. Additionally, there are junior political appointees, some of whom are related to politicians, contributing to an incomplete cadre base within the Foreign Service. Alongside these appointees, retired Foreign Service officials are also currently stationed in various capitals, highlighting the diverse composition of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic representation abroad.
