December 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has been included in a sweeping diplomatic shake-up by the Trump administration, which is preparing to rotate out nearly 30 senior American envoys as part of a wider effort to realign the United States’ overseas presence with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the US Ambassador in Colombo is among a group of career diplomats who were recently told that their assignments would conclude early next year. Similar notifications were issued to chiefs of mission across close to 30 countries, with most of the affected diplomats having assumed their roles during the previous administration.
While many of these envoys had initially weathered the early months of Trump’s second term—when political appointees were the primary focus of removals—the latest round marks a broader recalibration. Messages from Washington began reaching embassies midweek, signalling that a more comprehensive personnel review was under way.
US ambassadors formally serve at the president’s discretion, though they commonly remain in post for several years. Those being recalled are not being dismissed from the foreign service; instead, they are expected to return to Washington and may be reassigned to other roles if they choose.
The State Department has avoided confirming exact figures or naming specific countries, but has played down the significance of the changes. Officials described the move as routine for any new administration, emphasising that ambassadors act as the president’s personal representatives abroad and are expected to reflect his policy priorities.
Africa appears to be the region most heavily affected, with more than a dozen ambassadorial posts earmarked for change, spanning countries from West, East and Southern Africa. Asia follows, where several Pacific and South-East Asian missions are set to see new leadership. A smaller number of posts in Europe, the Middle East, South and Central Asia—including Sri Lanka—and the Americas are also involved.
Diplomatic observers say the reshuffle underlines the administration’s determination to ensure closer political alignment at senior levels overseas, even as continuity is maintained within the professional foreign service.
