Listening to all sides is part of our job: Envoy

Last Tuesday we met four UFPA MPS and ministers

Responding to criticism directed at foreign envoys for meeting with local party representatives, German Ambassador Joern Rohde said listening to all sides was a part of their job.

Last Tuesday some dozen envoys including the Canadian High Commissioner and myself met four leading UFPA MPS and ministers on their request. We respected their request for confidentiality

Speaking for his foreign counterparts, the German Ambassador said it was unfair to direct criticism at the Canadian High Commissioner and members of the diplomatic community with regard to whom they meet.

“Last Tuesday some dozen envoys including the Canadian High Commissioner and myself met four leading UPFA MPS and ministers on their request. We respected their request for confidentiality. afterwards we were invited to meet the TNA leadership. Diplomatic Community also had meetings with the President, the Speaker and other stakeholders. To listen to all sides is part of our job!” he tweeted. Re-tweeting Ambassador Rohde, Canadian High Commissioner David Mckinnon also said, “As my diplomatic colleague says,“to listen to all sides is part of our job.”

The High Commissioner’s tweet was later shared by US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz. Earlier this week, UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa said UNP, JVP and TNA politicians should meet the people of Sri Lanka rather than the representatives of the international community. “Interesting to see UNP, JVP and TNA politicians meeting with the members of the international community. Perhaps if more effort was given towards meeting with the people of Sri Lanka and paying heed to their hope for elections, Sri Lanka can finally achieve its fullest potential,” the parliamentarian tweeted.