Colombo, 25 March 2022 (TDI): Sri Lankan government has decided to shut down some of the Countries’ Embassies abroad due to a shortage of dollars.
The Government decided to take the decision to shut down some of the Sri Lankan missions because of the dollar crisis in the country and as a way of reducing expenditure.
However, on Thursday, Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister for International Affairs, maintained while addressing the Parliament that maintenance of some of 65 embassies abroad is under consideration.
The Chief Opposition Whip, Lakshman Kiriella, asked Tharaka Balasuriya a question regarding the alleged salary crisis in the Embassy staff. While responding to the question, he said:
“There are around 65 Sri Lanka foreign missions abroad, and we have seen that some of these missions are not needed as Sri Lankan mission offices of countries close by can handle matters rather than having too many mission offices. This will also save funds.”
The Three Embassies
The Ministry of External Affairs has decided to shut down the Sri Lankan Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Similarly, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Oslo, Norway, will also be closed.
Furthermore, they have also decided to close down the Consul General’s Office in Sydney, Australia. Therefore, the government will be closing the offices from 31 March 2022.
Alternative Solution
The Sri Lankan government is not shutting down completely. On the contrary, they have decided to keep these missions operational via Sri Lankan mission offices in a nearby country.
Therefore, the Sri Lankan mission regarding Iraq will conduct its affairs via the Consul General’s Office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Likewise, the Embassy in Stockholm in Sweden will be conducting the affairs of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Norway. Similarly, the Sydney Consul General’s office will conduct its affairs via Canberra’s Sri Lankan High Commission.
