Sri Lanka to fill 33 vacancies of mission heads soon; 17 from Sri Lanka Foreign Service

May 29, 2015 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry says they have already identified 33 persons to be appointed as new Heads of Missions and is in the process of gettings approvals from the different countries.

Newly appointed spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Mahishini Colonne on Wednesday told reporters that out of the 33 persons, 17 are from the Sri Lanka Foreign Service and 16 from outside. "There are 40 vacant Heads of Mission posts for which 33 nominations are in the process of being made," “This means that persons have been identified for these 33 positions and their names are in process of being submitted for agreement to the different countries." Colonne said. Sri Lanka has 63 missions overseas including Consulates.

Article 4 (1) of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations requires a state to first receive the agreement of the receiving country before a formal announcement can be made. All non-career Heads of Mission who held posts before 08 January 2015, except the High Commissioner to India, will have vacated their posts by the end of June.

“A new High Commissioner to India has been identified. However, the present High Commissioner will remain in New Delhi, until his successor has received agreement and is cleared by the Committee on High Posts of Parliament.” Colonne further stated.