The Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters have commended former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe for his outstanding service as a diplomat.

The Chief Prelates expressed these views when Samarasinghe, who recently stepped down from his post as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, called on the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, and the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero, the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, today (09) to seek their blessings.

The Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero said Samarasinghe had made a significant contribution towards strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and the United States and reducing tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports.

However, he expressed concern that some officials in the foreign service had reached a point where questions could be raised as to whether they were making any meaningful contribution to the country.
Speaking to the media afterwards, former Ambassador Samarasinghe said he had no intention of returning to active politics.

He said he had resigned from his ambassadorial post after serving for nearly five years due to personal reasons, stressing that there had been no pressure from the government to step down.

Samarasinghe said that during his tenure, he had worked to strengthen Sri Lanka–US relations, secure US support for Sri Lanka’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund, limit the tariffs imposed by the US to 10%, and obtain a naval vessel and several helicopters from the United States.

Although he had served as a Member of Parliament for 27 years, Samarasinghe said he had decided not to engage in politics any further.

However, he said he remained willing to assist the government if requested to provide support on international issues.

He also said that, having withdrawn from active politics, he was not prepared to comment on the current political situation.