News
Right of reply
View(s):Foreign Ministry denies its officers booked Business Class tickets
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to our news item last week; “No business class travel for top government officials” where it was stated that ”… a delegation from the Foreign Ministry due to attend Human Rights sessions in Geneva next week had been booked on business class with each of the tickets costing Rs 800,000.”
A statement from the Ministry states; “No Foreign Ministry official has travelled on business class for human rights-related meetings this year and no business class travel arrangements have been made for upcoming human rights meetings. Furthermore, official travel of Foreign Ministry officials is in strict compliance with relevant government circulars.
“The Ministry wishes to note that during the current year, only one visit was undertaken to Geneva namely to participate in Sri Lanka’s 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Similarly, for the upcoming human rights-related meetings in Geneva, which include the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council and the 6th Periodic Review of Sri Lanka under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Foreign Ministry has opted for limited in-person participation, using hybrid format.
“Participation in these meetings, particularly the UPR and the ICCPR, is obligatory for all State Parties.
News Editor’s Note;
The Foreign Ministry is correct. Two officials who went on Business Class are not from the Foreign Ministry.
The Sunday Times story last week
All state officials have to fly Economy Class from March 1, says circular from President’s office
The President’s office this week issued a circular directing all state officials, to use Economy Class tickets while
travelling overseas on official work, with effect from March 1.
The decision has been taken
in considering the current
financial difficulties.
The circular issued by President Secretary, Saman Ekanayake said that in the event an officer needs to travel Business Class, it is possible to do so only if the particular officer bears the cost of the ticket.
If an officer needs to travel Business Class utilising Government funds for an exclusive reason outside of the
provisions given, such officers should submit facts to the President’s Secretary for approval.
The Chief Justice, Justices of the Supreme Court, Chairman of the Court
of Appeal, and Justices of the Court of Appeal are exempt from the circular.
The move comes in the wake of
revelations that certain officials were using Business Class to travel overseas on official work.
Meanwhile a circular is also due
to be issued imposing restrictions on hotel accommodation for the stay
of officials.
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