“Doing our best to live up to expectations of PM”: Harsha
![Harsha De Silva](https://www.lankabusinessonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Harsha-de-silva3.jpg)
Feb 10, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs assures that although there is some frustration at the Prime Ministers level with regards to Foreign Ministry performance, they are doing their utmost to prove themselves.
“We are a new and liberal government and we need to get on with it. Most importantly the foreign office must deliver the message of the government.” Harsha de Silva, deputy minister of foreign affairs told Lanka Business Online.
“There are two sides to this story. There is a certain level of frustration at the Prime Ministers level and you can’t blame him for that,” de Silva said.
Given the economic policy shifts that have occurred and the need for active international engagement, the Prime Minister wants Sri Lanka's interests to be represented abroad with economic diplomacy.
"We are trying and doing our best to live up to the high expectations of the Prime Minister. But this is not an easy job this is a network around the world.”
A knowledge platform has been deployed for the missions abroad and a research agency has been hired to advise on improving capacity in this regard, de Silva said. No changes will be made to the Ministry structure, he added.
“Mr. Mangala Samaraweera will report to the President and the Prime Minister and the Economic affairs department has also not been closed like claimed.”
Speaking about the Ministry's achievements so far de Silva said that GSP+ will become a reality this year. "The most tangible achievement thus far is getting people to align foreign policy with economic policy, so this is a major win.”
“I am confident that we will get GSP+ by end 2016 and this will bring in a lot of opportunities and its not just about apparels. This was economic diplomacy and a victory for the foreign office.”
I’m shocked ! Why didn’t you say this is MR’s and Gota’s fault?
Thanks to JOHN
KERRY, each will be receiving US $ 1.50 per head. {31 millions US $).
not good enough. it is all talk no action. you know what they say about all …………..
too much nepotism in this government just like the previous one. people who voted for you lot are getting peed off.
so does the one in uk. no body knows anything. you want to find out about certain things you might as well google it.
too many a lickers in these missions with no idea about what they do.
so much for yahapalanaya. just hot air really.
You all are ruining this country…..You had a good strategy to grab power through mega lies…but its not working for action it seems……..You will have to pay according to karma…
If anyone remembers, it was Mega Police, not megapolis.
Problem is the expectations being too low, Like him or hate him MR had a vision for Sri Lanka, Now I know I criticized MR for nepotism and high handed behavior but credit is due when it deserved. MR knew the best way to jump start post war economy through infrastructure spending, surprise surprise where did he learn that? of course from Chinese. Majority of economic growth attained by China done by mega spending in its infrastructure development, so he took the the page right out of that book.
Ranil and MS got power after criticizing MR for building roads and airports, accusing him of 18 Billion corruption, did they find even a million dollars out of that corrupt 18 Billion money sack, the answer is resounding NO.
After turn their backs to Chinese, now Sri Lanka is in a cash strapped situation. Indians, the west and IMF is not coming to their rescue. And the outlandish budget tabled in the parliament has no proposals to stimulate the economy.
Now This is what I called “getting stuck between a rock and a hard place”
Ironically Amusing isn’t it?