Do Sri Lankan diplomats who have concluded their postings in foreign capitals enjoy diplomatic immunity?
The question has come to the fore in the wake of one of them facing court action over the alleged misappropriation of funds whilst serving in a foreign capital. The diplomat, Jaliya Wickremasuriya, former ambassdor to US, had obtained court permission and travelled to Washington where he has business interests.
He is now learnt to have taken up the position that he cannot be ordered to return to Sri Lanka because he enjoys diplomatic immunity. In support of his argument, he had produced a document from the Government to say he enjoyed such immunity.
However, authorities in Colombo had got in touch with the former diplomat’s host country. They had officially confirmed in a document now, that he does not enjoy such immunity. As a result, a court order has now been issued for his arrest.
Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, arrested on allegation of corruption by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been remanded until July 1 by the Colombo Magistrate court.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Stabilization and NPP National List MP Harshana Suriyapperuma who is tipped to be named the next Finance Ministry Secretary resigned from Parliament today.
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