Leader of the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ and Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera has criticised the government’s handling of international relations, claiming that diplomatic failures and a lack of strategic foresight have undermined Sri Lanka’s international standing.

Addressing the Parliament today (22), MP Dilith Jayaweera  said the country’s diplomatic standards had deteriorated, accusing the government of replacing professional statecraft with an amateur approach to international affairs.

The MP alleged that the government’s handling of the visit by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand was an insult to the Thai state, criticising the Foreign Ministry’s explanation that she had arrived in a private capacity and had not been received as requested.

The MP argued that a sitting Deputy Prime Minister of an important regional ally should not be treated merely as a private citizen, adding that the incident had damaged the longstanding cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The MP also raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s diplomatic engagements, citing the Raisina Dialogue, where the Foreign Ministry was accused of failing to adequately brief its own minister on maritime security, and Sri Lanka’s representation at the BRICS Summit.

He further claimed that Sri Lanka had historically maintained strong international relationships through mutual trust, credibility and a deep understanding of global affairs, enabling it to engage with major powers without becoming dependent on any one country.

Warning that the country’s diplomatic reputation was at risk, MP Dilith Jayaweera called for greater professionalism, foresight and strategic understanding in the conduct of foreign relations.