SL to open embassies in Spain, Romania, Consulate in Madagascar

• Foreign Minister tells consultative committee SL will establish diplomatic relations with Liechtenstein
• Urges Lankans to speak in one voice in international forums

Sri Lanka will open new embassies in Spain, Romania as well as a Consulate General Office in Madagascar, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena informed the consultative committee on the Ministry.

He said Sri Lanka would also establish diplomatic relations with Liechtenstein.

At the committee meeting, the question of repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees in India was raised by TNA MP Charles Nirmalanathan. Foreign Secretary Admiral Jayanath Colombage stated that there are a number of camps with Sri Lankan refugees in India with around 50,000 in camps in Tamil Nadu.

He said there are also people outside these camps and the Government has taken measures to repatriate a considerable number back to Sri Lanka.

Colombage said that while the Indian Government is providing the refugees located within the camps for food, shelter, medication, education, and other basic needs, they are also being monitored by the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai.

The matter is also being followed on a priority basis by the Foreign Ministry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic situation, he said.

Regarding the progress on the presence of Indian fishing vessels in the Sri Lankan waters and its impact on local fishermen, Minister Gunawardena said that discussions will continue with the Indian Embassy in Colombo to resolve the matter.

The Minister in his remarks to the committee called on all Sri Lankans to speak in one voice when operating the country abroad even though they debate foreign policy matters within the country.

The Minister stated that many countries including India represent their nation in one voice when on international platforms despite differences domestically.

Accordingly, the Minister also stated that he is hopeful that all parties will unite in representing the country’s foreign policy internationally as one nation.

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign chaired by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was attended by the State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and MPs Harsha de Silva, Dilan Perera, Dr. Suren Raghavan, Chandima Weerakkody, Gamini Waleboda, Yadamini Gunawardena, Charles Nirmalanathan, Sivagnanam Shritharan, Diana Gamage, Shanakiya Rasamanickam, and officials of the Foreign Ministry.