Embassy staff to be deployed in economic development

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had decided to involve the officials in 68 embassies in diplomatic activities on economic development for the first time. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva said that an agreement had been signed with Harvard University in order to train the officials concerned.

Our ambassadors had so far not engaged in economic development and they had given priority to political activities instead

He said further that the Harvard University had started an 18 week online training programme free of charge.

“Our ambassadors had so far not engaged in economic development and they had given priority to political activities instead,” he said. The Deputy Minister emphasised that they could play a certain role for bringing investors to the country and the foreign ambassadors could engage in activities that would affect the economy.