-By Sampath Dillimuni
(Lanka-e-News -13.Feb.2025, 11.20 PM) The Sri Lanka Foreign Service was once regarded as a prestigious civil service, with its officers demonstrating a strong commitment to elevating the country's international image. However, it has now turned into a service focused solely on personal gain—facilitating overseas travel for family members and securing foreign education for their children—rather than serving the nation.
In the past, the Foreign Service was an honorable and dignified profession, open only to the most capable individuals. Diplomats such as Dr. Vernon Mendis, Bernard Tilakaratne, Herman Leonard de Silva, Yogendra Duraiswamy, and Wilhelm Wouters were exemplary figures—calm, competent, and innovative. More recently, diplomats like Jayantha Dhanapala, H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Dr. Chris Nonis, Prasad Kariyawasam, and Maheshini Colonne have continued this legacy. Despite political differences, even someone like Kshenuka Seneviratne displayed leadership and diplomatic insight.
Among them, Ambassador Wilhelm Wouters, who remained committed to Sri Lanka until the very end of his life, must be remembered as an exceptional diplomat. He was a "leader who never dies"—a dedicated servant of the nation's Foreign Service.
Public debate now surrounds the behavior and professional integrity of foreign service officers. At times, it has become difficult to even recognize the nature of the service. Promotions often lead to resistance from other officers, with various tactics being employed to secure higher positions. The idea that seniority should dictate promotions is prevalent, creating a "monkey system" within the service.
The competition among officers to secure postings in Europe is fierce, while embassies in Africa, the Maldives, and Latin America are viewed as undesirable. Consequently, the Foreign Service has become a petition-driven entity, where officers file complaints against each other. One particular officer has become notorious for instilling fear among embassy staff and coercing them into submission.
Some officers operate within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a manner akin to internal feuds, often getting entangled in personal relationships and abandoning their professional duties. Instead of addressing diplomatic issues, they spend time resolving their own conflicts.
Several officers suffer from severe psychological issues. Some female officers have reportedly subjected their husbands to mental and physical abuse, leading to divorces. In extreme cases, some husbands have committed suicide. Some officers, while struggling with personal psychological distress, inflict mental torment on their children and colleagues.
Additionally, there is a growing trend where officers use diplomatic immunity as a cover to engage in business ventures, particularly in countries like India. There have also been reports of embassy staff treating their domestic workers in an extremely inhumane manner, leading to legal action in foreign courts against certain diplomats.
Despite being an essential component of the modern international relations framework, the Sri Lanka Foreign Service is not exclusively occupied by career diplomats. Many Western countries appoint individuals from various professional fields, including business and academia, as ambassadors.
Countries like Britain, the U.S., India, China, and Russia select ambassadors based on national economic trends, business interests, and domestic political considerations.
During the Rajapaksa administration, the Foreign Service Association did not raise any objections to unfair political appointments. Under Sajin Vass Gunawardena, the association remained silent, blindly obeying every order. However, under Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s new government, the same association is now vocally opposing political appointments. Is this a professional and justifiable stance? Absolutely not. This is nothing more than a theatrical display by bureaucrats trying to prove their importance.
Foreign service officers must ask themselves what real contributions they have made to the country. Beyond attending parties and indulging in luxuries, have they done anything substantial?
If one were to ask Sri Lankans living in various countries about their respective ambassadors, the responses would likely be filled with frustration.
In recent times, none of these so-called "dramatic" officers in the Foreign Service have done anything meaningful for the country. If they have, the Foreign Minister should personally call them and ask what they have achieved.
How many diplomatic visits for the national leader have they planned? How many investments have they brought to Sri Lanka? Have they opened new business opportunities for Sri Lankan enterprises abroad? These are questions worth investigating.
Foreign service officers enjoy numerous privileges, and the Foreign Minister must scrutinize whether they are providing service equivalent to those benefits.
There is now a clear division among officers—between those vying for seniority, those competing for comfortable postings, and those eyeing ambassadorial positions. The lack of unity among officers has become one of the major shortcomings of the Foreign Service.
Furthermore, the service has been infiltrated by individuals who lack the necessary qualities for diplomacy. Some female officers are not even four feet tall, struggle to properly wear a sari, lack a pleasant demeanor, and show no signs of leadership. Some require medication for psychological distress, while others prioritize makeup over their responsibilities.
Minister, it is astonishing that a country with such diplomats continues to function. If you bow down to the Foreign Service Association, you too may end up resigning in disgrace. Even Sajin Vass, despite his controversies, had the ability to control and discipline these non-performing officers.
You must take firm action. Those who do not serve the country should be recalled, sidelined, and replaced with capable individuals. Whether from the Foreign Service or the private sector, competent individuals should be sent abroad. You must not be intimidated by the so-called Foreign Service Association. Appointing the right person to the right place is your duty.
Victory to the Nation!
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by (2025-02-13 19:56:54)
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