Sri Lankan government dismantles diaspora office

by admin
Oct 8, 2024

The Sri Lankan government headed by Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reached a decision to dismantle an “Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad” which was specifically instituted by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring in investments from the diaspora and assist with ‘philanthropy’ and ‘reconciliation’ efforts. 

 

(Members of OOSLA meeting USA Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South & Central Affairs, U.S. Department of State Donald Lu, accompanied by Ambassador Julie Chung, on the work of OOSLA and connecting with Sri Lankans in America)

The Sri Lankan government headed by Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reached a decision to dismantle an “Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad” which was specifically instituted by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring in investments from the diaspora and assist with ‘philanthropy’ and ‘reconciliation’ efforts. 

Confirming the cabinet decision, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath explained that the office's functions were deemed redundant, as other existing government institutions were already providing similar services.

“The National People’s Secretariat is not deemed necessary at the moment," he said. "There already exists a system which is being implemented by the Divisional Secretariats and at the village level. The Cabinet of Ministers decided to suspend this program as it is not necessary.”

According to the website of the office, the office was meant to serve as a “focal point for coordination with all pertinent parties to ensure that overseas Sri Lankans receive timely, efficient services and to open doors for their support as important participants in Sri Lanka’s development and reconciliation.” 

The website which is still functioning states that “over 3 million peoples are regarded to be our clients, and their lineage to Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan citizens residing and working overseas or Sri Lankan citizens naturalized in a host country or the decedents of Sri Lankans is considered to be an asset.” 

At the cabinet meeting, Herath announced that the National Peoples Power government had decided to suspend the National Peoples Council, the Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad established under the President’s Office and the Agriculture Modernization Program. He also said that the government would terminate the services of the officers and consultants who were hired on a contract basis for this project.

 

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