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Foreign Ministry staff won’t accept packs of food from China
China wanted food packs with rice, sugar, dhal and sprats in packs distributed to officials in the Foreign Ministry but strong objections by the Foreign Service Officiers’ Association put paid to the move.
The move has been authorised by Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage, and the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Association was to be used as the conduit for the distribution. He has said that a token presentation should also be held to project the acceptance.
The embassy has provided the funds to the Friendship Association to obtain the food items. The matter came to light when a senior Ministry official, who is from the administrative service, sought the names and addresses of Foreign Ministry officials so the deliveries could be made.
Angered by the move, a Foreign Service Officers’ Association delegation had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Colombage. In a note it handed in, the Association said, “We strongly believe that the acceptance of such donations, particularly by members of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service is not appropriate and will place the foreign service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an embarrassing situation.”
In a bid to overcome the situation, Foreign Secretary Colombage had, thereafter, directed that the food packs could be accepted by the Welfare Association of the Foreign Ministry.
This, however, did not materialise. The resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in terms of the Constitution, had rendered the Foreign Secretary’s position vacant. Hence, he had said he was unable to issue any further directives.
The Sunday Times learns, not only diplomatic officials but all other staff in the Foreign Ministry agreed they will not accept the food packs.
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