Jaliya for Canada, diplomatic tussle for post in Washington

Jaliya Wickremesuriya, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, will be the country’s new High Commissioner in Canada.

He has served in Washington D.C. a full term of five years (2008-2013). Before that, he also served for two years as Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Los Angeles (2006-2008).

External Affairs Ministry sources said yesterday Mr. Wickremesuriya was likely to relinquish office in Washington this month. No one has been named officially to succeed him as ambassador in the US.

Four names are being mentioned from among whom one is to be picked. They are Palitha Kohona (Ambassador to the UN in New York), Prasad Kariyawasam (High Commissioner to India),

Kshenuka Seneviratne (Additional Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs) and Karunatilleke Amunugama, (Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs). A diplomatic ‘musical chairs’ is also likely among these persons.

Earlier, Esala Weerakoon, who was Deputy Ambassador to the United States was named Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner-designate in Canada. His agrément (agreement to be accepted as High Commissioner) was delayed for more than three months by Ottawa as Sri Lanka had delayed accepting the credentials of the new Canadian High Commis- sioner to Colombo.

When the question was raised with EAM Secretary Amunugama, he told the Sunday Times ( on June 23) that “as for Mr. Weerakoon, some countries take a long time to confirm agreements”. On September 22, Mr. Amunugama told the Sunday Times Mr. Weerakoon’s appointment had to be approved by the Parliamentary High Posts Committee.

Mr. Weerakoon, a career officer appeared before the Parliamentary High Posts Committee in October and was cleared for his appointment as High Commissioner in Canada. EAM sources said he was now to be offered another posting.