By Roger Srivasan
Since independence from Britain, Sri Lanka has rarely witnessed a government whose rise has been greeted with such palpable relief as that led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake. To many citizens, this administration represents not merely a political transition, but a long-awaited return to integrity, accountability, and competence.
In this spirit of national renewal, it is imperative that Sri Lanka recalibrates its foreign policy ethos. Diplomacy, at its core, is the fine art of fostering understanding between nations — the subtle craft of negotiation, persuasion, and representation. A diplomat is therefore the nation’s face and voice abroad: an emissary entrusted to articulate national interests with clarity, tact, and intellectual finesse.
Why Diplomats Cannot Be Chosen Lightly For too long, appointments to diplomatic posts have been clouded by political patronage, where loyalty to personalities eclipsed loyalty to the nation. But diplomacy is not a ceremonial afterthought; it is the frontline of national reputation, investment, defence partnerships, and global engagement. To select diplomats carelessly is to weaken the very architecture of the state.
A modern Sri Lanka must choose its representatives with surgical precision. The world of international relations demands individuals who are:
• Impeccably educated, widely read, and globally aware
• Eloquent and articulate, especially in English
• Debonair in presence, persuasive in manner, and composed under pressure
• Fluent in foreign policy concepts and geopolitical dynamics
• Uncompromisingly loyal to the state, not to a party or faction
The truth is stark: home-grown candidates alone may not always possess the full suite of attributes required for the diplomatic stage. Sri Lanka must therefore widen its search — not confine itself to a narrow pool of local hopefuls or party faithful. The government must cast its net globally, seeking those with the education, exposure, and professional maturity to represent the country with distinction.
The Ideal Ambassador An ambassador is the living embodiment of a nation’s dignity — a rapier concealed in a velvet glove: refined in tone, ruthless in precision. He or she must combine intellect with charm, firmness with courtesy, and patriotism with cosmopolitan insight. A single envoy can open doors — or close them morever. Therefore… If Sri Lanka is to reclaim its rightful place in the community of nations, it must adopt a diplomatic philosophy rooted in merit, excellence, and global competence. Only then will the government’s foreign policy — and the country’s reputation — stand on a foundation worthy of a modern, forward-looking Sri Lanka.
