President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is facing growing criticism over his unconventional approach to foreign affairs, as his refusal to meet with foreign ambassadors or interact with Sri Lankan diplomats abroad raises alarm among diplomatic observers.
While the Presidential Secretariat defends the approach as a matter of official policy, many argue it signals a troubling detachment from international engagement.
Traditionally, foreign policy in Sri Lanka was managed under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister, who also served as head of state. This changed under President J.R. Jayewardene, who appointed a dedicated foreign minister but continued to exert significant influence.
Even during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s early tenure, foreign affairs were treated as a lower priority until a misstep at the United Nations prompted a swift recalibration. After Sri Lanka unexpectedly voted against Palestine in a UN resolution, Rajapaksa was forced to dismiss Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in the face of backlash from Arab states. Analysts now wonder whether President Dissanayake might be on a similar path toward an inevitable diplomatic reckoning.
Fueling the debate is a wave of social media commentary, with viral comparisons drawing attention to the low-profile presence of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath at Pope Francis’s funeral. This stood in stark contrast to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s high-profile meetings with global leaders during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, a juxtaposition that critics say reflects the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s diminished stature on the global stage.
Defenders of the president argue otherwise. They claim that previous administrations’ emphasis on global appearances yielded little political benefit at home. The NPP, they insist, is focused on strengthening ties with the Sri Lankan diaspora through grassroots efforts rather than photo opportunities with foreign dignitaries.
Still, the absence of top-level participation at major international events has not gone unnoticed. Both President Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Herath declined invitations to attend the BRICS Summit in Russia and the United Nations General Assembly, citing the upcoming general election. Even Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s recent visit to the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand reportedly included no bilateral meetings with other world leaders.
In an overseas trip planned for May, the president will travel to Vietnam, not for diplomacy, but to participate in Vesak celebrations and the public exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The visit is widely viewed as a move aimed at strengthening domestic support among the Sinhala Buddhist electorate ahead of local elections, echoing strategies employed by former President Rajapaksa.
As Sri Lanka navigates a shifting global landscape, concerns are mounting over the administration’s apparent disengagement from international diplomacy. With major platforms left unattended and bilateral ties seemingly on pause, observers are asking a pressing question: can a president truly represent his nation on the world stage if he chooses not to stand upon it?
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