Dual citizens as envoys: Foreign Secretary makes contradictory statements

Appointment of dual nationals as heads of Sri Lanka's diplomatic missions overseas has set a serious poser for Parliament’s High Post Committee.

This came in the wake of contradictions following Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam’s interpretation to Parliament on the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Minute.

The Minute adopted in November 2016, he says, required new entrants to the foreign service to be "a citizen of Sri Lanka (Those who have dual citizenship should rescind their foreign nationality in the event they are selected to the SLFS and should not acquire the nationality of any other

country during their Service.)” On the other hand, he also says, “applicable public service regulations at present do not prevent any Sri Lankan with dual nationality holding a high post in public service, though the 19th Amendment to the Constitution established a condition that Members of Parliament cannot hold dual nationality.”

The two conflicting versions are contained in a August 9-dated letter which Foreign Secretary Kariyawasam sent to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. It came amidst the controversy surrounding the appointment of Arusha Cooray as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Norway. The 52-year-old academic, additionally an Australian national, has served educational institutions in that country since 2002 until her appointment as a Sri Lankan envoy.

At a meeting of the High Posts Committee of Parliament, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran and ‘JO’ Parliamentary leader Dinesh Gunawardena protested strongly on the appointment. They said persons appointed as President’s nominee for envoys overseas should have only Sri Lankan nationality, and not those with dual citizenship. They argued this would lead to “divided loyalties”. Members urged that the Foreign Ministry should be called upon to formally explain the position.

For good measure, after presenting two contradictory positions, Mr. Kariyawasam adds, “However, it is common practice among several countries e.g. Australia and the United States that they will not accept those who hold dual nationality of their country as Ambassador/High Commissioner of Sri Lanka.

“The Foreign Secretary’s letter, to say the least, is contradictory. This show there is no proper policy at the Foreign Ministry.

The recent appointment of Ms Cooray is a glaring example of how principles are being violated to please different people,” Dinesh Gunawardena told the Sunday Times. He said such practices were a slur on the country’s sovereignty.

Ms. Cooray is still in Colombo.