He said that there were talented officials in foreign diplomatic missions, while there are those who were not so. Some officials lacked even the basic knowledge about the government's policy. They have to be provided with a proper training concerning such matter. All the officials would be brought back to Sri Lanka to undergo training," Premier Wickremesinghe said." Officials of the foreign diplomatic missions would be unable to play the same pranks they played earlier. They would not be able to say that foreign countries stood against us. That era ended in 2014.
The Premier made these observations while Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva was resonding to Bimal Ratnayake. MP Ratnayake stated that the previous government appointed persons to foreign diplomatic missions, who did not belong to the Sri Lankan Foreign Service.
"It is only at present that those officials attempt to study what the government policy was. It would take a period of two to three years to build up a strong foreign service," Premier Wickremesinghe said. "We could build up a good foreign service.
The UNP has commendable foreign relationship than foreign diplomatic missions. We could impart that experience to the foreign service," he said
"Out of the 47 persons appointed to foreign diplomatic missions by the present government, 23 did not belong to the permanent Sri Lankan Foreign Service," Bimal Ratnayake said. "But there is a policy that only 30 percent could be appointed to foreign diplomatic missions out of those who do not belong to foreign diplomatic missions.
At this stage the Premier stated that there is no such agreement on policy that point out such a proportionate. "Suitable persons should be appointed to the foreign diplomatic missions," Premier Wickremesinghe said.
"No where in the world could such a proportionate be maintained. We too don't hope to maintain such a policy. We would appoint 100 percent of those who are qualified persons." At this stage Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that some members of the UNP Working Committee have been appointed to foreign diplomatic missions.
"I became the first Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister. We have to work between the countries and some of the officials of the foreign diplomatic mission lacked the necessary foreign relationship." Premier Wickremesinghe said. But the members of the UNP Working Committee could solve international matters via the telephone.
Although there is no High Commissioner in UK, we have sound relationships with UK."
At this stage opposition MP Bimal Ratnayake stated that he condemned such a statement by the Prime Minister, as it would be understood that a foreign service was not needed but only clerks would suffice.
"The matters concerning Geneva were settled by me as the Foreign Minister and the Ministry Secretary, the Premier said.
