In response to widespread social media discussions and concerns regarding his son’s presence at official meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry released a statement seeking to clarify the situation:
“In light of the concerns raised on social media about my son’s participation in several bilateral meetings during the UNGA, I would like to provide some context.”
“As the Foreign Minister, my role involves a demanding schedule during visits to the UNGA and Washington D.C. This schedule includes delivering speeches, participating in public events, and engaging in numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings. This workload requires extensive research, speechwriting, and meticulous preparation.”
“To aid Ministers in fulfilling their duties, we all have access to a Minister’s bureau, which consists of both paid and voluntary contributors. At my request, my son assisted me as a research assistant and speechwriter on a voluntary basis for a period of time. During the UNGA, while he is pursuing studies in the United States, he volunteered to contribute his time and expertise for a few days.”
“I am grateful for his contributions, which were valuable in preparing for these important engagements. Importantly, neither the Foreign Ministry nor the Sri Lankan government has incurred any expenses on his behalf, whether related to his involvement in these meetings or at any other time. His contributions have been entirely voluntary and at no cost to the taxpayers.”
“I firmly believe that the public has the right to seek accountability from their representatives, and I am committed to providing the facts for your informed judgment.”
“Thank you.”
The statement aims to address concerns of nepotism and provide transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding the Foreign Minister’s son’s involvement in these official meetings, emphasizing that it was voluntary and without any financial burden on the government or taxpayers.
