Indian diplomats in Sri Lanka had completed term, says government

The government Sunday trashed reports that an Indian diplomat posted in Colombo, reported to be an Indian intelligence official, had been recalled before completion of tenure.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that the norm for postings of diplomats in Sri Lanka is three years and all diplomats who returned last year had completed their tenure.

He was answering a query about a media report that said an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official was recalled for allegedly helping in the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential elections.

"Postings and transfers are in the public domain; when Indian diplomats go, the dates are announced and when they leave Sri Lanka, the dates are available. The dates are in public domain of all Indian diplomats, whether they have completed three years or not," the spokesperson said.

He slammed "unnamed sources" quoted in the news report for saying that the RAW agent was recalled after complaints that he had worked with Sri Lanka's opposition parties to agree on a joint contender for the election.

"Unnamed sources are willing to say all sorts of things...Using unnamed sources is hiding behind and obscuring the truth," the spokesman said.

To a specific query whether he was denying the report, Akbaruddin reiterated that all diplomats stay for three years and all those in Sri Lanka had completed their duty and returned.

Former president Rajapaksa suffered a shock defeat to joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena in the Jan 8 presidential polls.