New circular tightens Sri Lanka’s diplomatic protocols

Reality Check
By Editor_1

COLOMBO – In a bid to streamline international communication and safeguard national interests, the Sri Lankan government has issued a new circular significantly tightening diplomatic protocols. Effective January 1, 2025, the guidelines mandate that all foreign engagements by state institutions must be routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Aimed at ensuring coordinated international relations and preventing diplomatic missteps, the circular positions the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the central authority for managing Sri Lanka’s interactions with foreign governments and international organizations.

All communications, agreements, and foreign visits by government officials will now require prior coordination with the MFA and, in many cases, pre-approval from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The guidelines explicitly prohibit direct communication between Provincial Councils, Local Government institutions, or ministries with foreign missions without foreign ministry involvement.

The circular also specifies that while ministries such as finance and defence may continue engaging with foreign entities on technical or financial matters, such interactions must be pre-cleared with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure alignment with national priorities.

The circular, which introduces stringent measures for foreign visits by government officials to enhance oversight and avoid diplomatic oversights, also specifies that all foreign visits by government officials be approved by the President and coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  It also specifies that senior officials inform the foreign ministry of planned trips well in advance, with visa requests to be submitted at least four weeks before departure. While officials travelling for official purposes are entitled to consular and logistical support, the circular notes private visits will not be funded unless explicitly authorized and costs related to accommodation, travel, and other expenses must be borne by the respective ministry organizing the visit.

The circular stresses that informal or unauthorized communication with foreign missions is strictly prohibited and that any informal correspondence with foreign entities that could escalate into significant policy issues must be reported to the foreign ministry. In emergencies, foreign missions may contact relevant ministries directly, but the foreign ministry must be notified immediately to mitigate any potential diplomatic fallout.

Additionally, the circular also specifies that when meeting foreign ministers, ambassadors, or dignitaries, representatives from the foreign ministry must be present, and in cases where this is not possible, a detailed report of the discussions must be submitted to the ministry.

Before initiating discussions for any bilateral, regional, or multilateral agreements, ministries must notify the foreign ministry to ensure policy alignment and assess legal implications, the circular states, adding that all formal agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) require ministry clearance before finalization.

The circular also provides specific guidelines for attending diplomatic events, noting that a cabinet-appointed minister will represent Sri Lanka at National Day celebrations of foreign countries each month and that if the nominated minister cannot attend, the foreign ministry must be informed two weeks in advance to arrange alternative representation.

The guidelines strictly prohibit senior officials from attending events hosted by representatives of countries with which Sri Lanka does not have diplomatic relations or recognition and state such cases, inquiries must be directed to the foreign ministry for clarification.

-ENCL

Editor_1
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