Colombo: Sri Lanka has ordered a recall of a large number of its diplomats following the election of a new Government, Foreign Ministry officials said today (Apr 19, 2004).

The changes are to affect 10 Sri Lankan Missions abroad, including United Nations, Sweden and Malaysia, but current envoy to India Mangala Munasinghe will continue.

Munasinghe had been an appointee of President Chandrika Kumaratunga and he was not removed by the previous Government when it came to power in December 2001.

The Ambassadors named by the former Lankan Government are being recalled to be replaced either by those loyal to the new administration of Kumaratunga or career officers, officials said.

They said that Ambassadors from 10 Sri Lankan Missions abroad were due back shortly while dozens of other lower level diplomats too are being recalled.

Sri Lanka's successive Governments had used diplomatic postings to reward supporters while career diplomats have been grumbling that plum postings were often taken away by political appointees.