Economic diplomacy the need of the hour, poll reveals

Thursday, 17 March 2016 00:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The latest nationwide survey conducted by research firm TNS Lanka, for business magazine LMD, reveals “that there is widespread contentment among the people at large that our diplomatic relations are strong”.

The magazine says that respondents want Sri Lanka’s diplomatic strategies to be streamlined with the country’s economic policies, with a whopping 90% of those polled agreeing that economic diplomacy is the need of the hour.

Survey participants seem to be slightly less enthusiastic about the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s diplomats – two-thirds believe we have competent diplomats, while 13% are unsure. Interestingly, those who disagree (21%) feel that the state ‘doesn’t recruit skilled people’ and ‘political influence is very high,’ in selecting diplomats.

Of the sample population, 63% believe that diplomatic appointments are merit-based, while 37% feel otherwise or are undecided. The majority (75%), however, say that Sri Lanka’s existing diplomatic ties are strong, while 27% are in disagreement.

As for what more is required to improve Sri Lanka’s diplomatic affairs, a spokesperson for LMD says that “the people would like to see individuals who want to do right by the country being appointed to run our foreign missions – and they would like to see our high commissions and embassies disseminating positive news about Sri Lanka”.

The latest edition of the pioneering business magazine has been released to leading supermarkets and bookstores in Colombo and the outstations.

Its Cover Story features the President of Rotary International K.R. Ravindran who, LMD says, is on a quest to make the world a better place through greater community engagement (for the full story, log onto www.LMD.lk).