A Sri Lankan diplomat who served in Japan has been accused of bringing back to Colombo his landlord's personal belongings including a piano, an expensive wall painting and an antique clock.
In a complaint to the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, the landlord has said the items were among his other belongings that were in the house rented to the Sri Lankan diplomat. Until the items are returned to him, the landlord, an influential Japanese businessman, has said, he will not return the 610,000 Yen (Rs 762,500) deposit placed with him by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan.
The diplomat involved, the Sunday Times learnt, is a non career officer who served in Tokyo until September last year as Minister Counsellor. He had lived in this house in Tokyo's Neguro area. Using the facility allowed to diplomats, this Minister Counsellor had shipped what were described as his personal belongings, to Colombo in a container. Costs for this purpose are met by the Government.
The landlord has alleged that the piano and the expensive painting were his personal property. He has also said that the antique clock was of great sentimental value to his family since it has changed hands from generation to generation.
The Sunday Times learnt that the Foreign Ministry is yet to respond to the Japanese landlord’s complaint.
The post of Sri Lanka Ambassador in Japan has remained vacant since the recall of the last incumbent. The post is now being manned at Charge d'Affaires level by Esala Weerakoon. This came amidst a controversy over the exposition of Buddha relics in at a Temple in Kobe. It turned out that what was sent from a temple in Pelmadulla were not Buddha relics. |
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