Professionalism in Diplomacy

"Ambassadors are highest ranking diplomats who represents the country, generally accredited to the foreign sovereign or government. Countries also appoint highly reputed individuals representing various fields and disciplines based on the circumstances and requirements."
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By A Special Correspondent

(September 04, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Professionalism/Profession generally deals with vocations founded upon specialised educational training and experience. Is policies a profession? It is YES and NO and obviously a moot issue. Politics too should be conducted professionally as it deals with the future of the Nation and the Citizen. Mr. D.S.Senanayaka and Mrs. Bandaranaike have not been professionals, yet history has categorised them as excellent politicians and a heads of state. Diplomacy though somewhat a profession most successful and celebrated diplomats were not necessarily professionals in diplomacy. Professions Gunapala Mallalesekara and the barrage of excellent diplomats were chosen outside the system whilst the services rendered by the carrier diplomats in Sri Lanka are not second to any diplomats worldwide.

International relations is the art of conduct of Foreign Policy, Negotiations with other states governmental and non governmental organisations, and art and science of dealing with the members of the world family and international organisations including the United Nations Organisation. The process and the procedure is formulized by system of Vienna Convention ( 1815) regularising and incorporating diplomatic ranking and conduct under international law. Generally it is the head of the state who deals with the foreign policy and conduct of foreign relations, assisted by the Foreign Minister, who is a faithful, reliable and an able Cabinet Minister, who deals with the diplomatic appointments and generally the international relations with rest of the world. In the USA the president has carefully delegated power to the Secretary of state and in the UK it is handled by the Foreign Secretary - a close confidant of the Prime Minister and a senior Cabinet Minimiser.

Ambassadors are highest ranking diplomats who represents the country, generally accredited to the foreign sovereign or government. Countries also appoint highly reputed individuals representing various fields and disciplines based on the circumstances and requirements. They operate from the special territory called “Embassies” or “High Commissions”. In some extraordinary circumstances the head of state and the Foreign Minister selects persons of eminence and knowledge for important and crucial situations and stations, such as UN, USA, UK. and EU. They must assist the Foreign Minister and the Head of the State, to reach the Goals outlining how the country will interact with other countries on economic, social, military and to formulate and implementation of the foreign policy which is an important component of the government machinery, especially in difficult circumstances such as threat of terrorism, war, and credit crunch due to economic and political recessions and tragedies natural and man made.

In the United Kingdom and India the Foreign Service is highly developed, and streamlined. In Sri Lanka too it is so being a country with highest traditions on Diplomacy with India Middle east and much other country by culture, trade and diplomacy and as a senior member of the world family and the United Nations Organisation. King Devenampitissa sent the son and Daughter as emissaries and Persion Kings maintained close rapport with Sri Lanka based on trade and cultural bonds.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners for important positions are selected by the Head of State, with the Foreign Minister. It is agreed to maintain a ration of 1;2 in order to give due place to the carrier diplomats, who are the cradle of the diplomatic service. They are not politicians and strictly adhere to administration. There are times political decisions are to be taken and constant dialogues between the Head of the State and the foreign Minister in difficult circumstances. In order to meet such situations Diplomats are appointed from out of service any where in world. Gladston the celebrated British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka – from famous Glaston Family- has been a fine Diplomat out of the Foreign Service. Currently the appointments made by the Foreign Ministry are excellent balanced in accordance with the accepted ratio.

Mr Karu Jayasuriya the Deputy leader of the United National party who himself have been a Diplomat (out of service) in the capacity of the ambassador in Germany has made some comments on the professional diplomat corps and the appointments made out of service on behalf of the party. The ratio has not exceeded and the appointments made by the Foreign Ministry are per excellence and covers vast area and range of professions and disciplines. Ironically the recent achievements by the Foreign Minister, Ministry and the diplomats including carrier and non carrier, who have struggled hand in hand in the wining or the recent diplomatic war and turning the world family to our side at the Human Rights Committee episode has not given appropriate recognition, though every body is enjoying and reaping the harvest with new found freedom to live in peace and freedom of movement of the citizen.

-Sri Lanka Guardian