SL envoys responsible for creating country’s good image - PM

Sri Lankan Ambassadors and High Commissioners abroad have a vital national responsibility of safeguarding the country’s image and correcting the wrong impressions created about the motherland among certain sections of the international community, said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne addressing Sri Lankan envoys

He was addressing a group of 17 newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassadors and High Commissioners, and some members of the diplomatic service when they called on him at his official residence on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said there is no war situation in the country today. “Now that we have peace and freedom, we have a target to achieve by making the country’s future safe and prosperous.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa is a patriotic leader who had always placed the country first and he is a great source of strength and courage to the country and its people,” he added.

Certain sections of the international community are still harbouring a wrong attitude about Sri Lanka. This was due to false propaganda carried out by the LTTE and their sympathizers, the Premier said adding, the Sri Lankan Ambassadors and High Commissioners have a great responsibility to correct this wrong impression by providing correct information about the peaceful situation in the country and the progress of national reconciliation efforts.

They could also help the country’s economic development and progress by promoting investment opportunities and introducing new foreign investors to the country, he said.

Among those who called on the Prime Minister were Ferial Ashroff, Lionel Premasiri, Sarath Kongahage and Dr Hector Weerasinghe.

Secretary to the Prime Minister S Amarasekera was also present.