The Ministry of External Affairs has decided to close down two Sri Lankan Embassies and a Consul General’s Office overseas due to a shortage of dollars.
The Ministry has decided to close down the Sri Lankan Embassies in Baghdad, Iraq, and Oslo, Norway, and the Consul General’s Office in Sydney, Australia from the 31st of March.
The Ministry of External Affairs has taken this decision after considering the serious issues faced by the shortage of US dollars in the country.
Thereby, Sri Lankan affairs with Iraq will be conducted via the Consul General’s Office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Norway will conduct its affairs via the Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. The Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra will handle the affairs of the Sydney Consul General’s office.
Stating that there are 63 Sri Lankan diplomatic missions overseas, the Ministry of External Affairs said with the closing down of 3 missions the total number of offices reduces to 60.
The Ministry added that the shortage of dollars has resulted in difficulties in operating overseas diplomatic missions.