By Munza Mushtaq - Controversy surrounds the summoning of some 14 Sri Lankan diplomats, some lodged at plush five star hotels and condominium complexes to carry out President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign.
The diplomats who are allegedly carrying out the President’s propaganda work include Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington DC, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Ambassador to Italy Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Consul General for Toronto, Bandula Jayasekara, Ambassador to Iran M. M. Zuhair, Ambassador to Korea Asitha Perera, Ambassador to Philippines N. Bennett Cooray and Ambassador to Myanmar Newton Gunaratne.
It is learnt that Ambassador Wickramasuriya, a close relative of President Rajapaksa, is residing at a luxury condominium situated in a five star hotel compound, from where he along with two other diplomats are carrying out campaign work.
The other ambassadors have been assigned to carry out the campaign work at a special election office which comes under the direct purview of the President’s brother, Basil Rajapaksa.
This office, it is learnt, is located on the top floor of a building constructed recently within the compound of Temple Trees.
“Due to this sudden recall, the ambassadors are unable to carry out the diplomatic responsibilities they were originally entrusted with,” Foreign Ministry sources said. All the expenses, including the apartment rent and other incidentals of these ambassadors will be borne by the Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Hemantha Warnakulasuriya who is in Sri Lanka denied any involvement in the government’s election campaign. He told The Sunday Leader that he came to Sri Lanka after obtaining duty leave of his own will and will return as soon as his leave expires. “I am hoping to go back before elections and I am staying at my residence and not at a five star hotel,” he added.
© The Sunday Leader
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