With the new government sweeping into power, many political appointments made to foreign missions during the previous regime were recalled.

After the recall however, suitable candidates are yet to be appointed to 23 Sri Lankan embassies and consular offices in countries including USA, Norway, Japan, Italy, France, Australia, Netherlands, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Uganda, South Africa, Poland, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

If parliament is dissolved on April 23 or in a nearby date, the parliamentary committee on High Posts too would be dissolved as well.

The Committee on High Posts examines the suitability of persons who have been either appointed to any post or nominated to hold office in any post determined by the Cabinet of Ministers and to make recommendations in regard to such persons.

At present the following categories of Officers are examined by the Committee.

1) All Secretaries to Cabinet Ministries
2) All persons proposed to be appointed as Heads of Sri Lanka Missions abroad
3) Chairmen of Boards, Corporations and other State Institutions

In such a backdrop, there is a risk that 26 Sri Lankan missions abroad will not have ambassadors for six months until parliament is re-formed.

Awaiting committee approval

Upon inquiring on the delay pertaining to the appointment of ambassadors to Sri Lankan missions abroad, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' learnt that suitable candidates are being selected by a committee led by the President and Prime minister.

Several names suggested in this manner have already been submitted for the approval of the Committee on High Posts.