Sanath Kumarayake is tipped for US Ambassador as reports claim a Pelawatte loyalist may replace him as President’s Secretary.
Sanath Kumarayake is reportedly being considered for Sri Lanka’s US Ambassador post as fresh speculation grows over changes inside the President’s office.
The Daily Mirror newspaper reports that Mahinda Samarasinghe, who currently serves as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States of America, is expected to complete his term and return to the country in July.
Accordingly, reports indicate that Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumarayake, the current President’s Secretary, is highly likely to be appointed as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidential Secretariat have not yet made a final decision regarding the appointment, reliable sources claim that Dr. Nandika has been informed to resign from the post of President’s Secretary.
This development reportedly follows a heated situation that recently arose at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s Pelawatte headquarters.
During that incident, a group of senior JVP members is said to have requested that a more suitable candidate be appointed to the position.
Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumarayake, who holds a PhD in Development Economics, is regarded as a highly qualified public officer.
He joined the government administrative service in 1997 as an Assistant Superintendent of Sri Lanka Customs.
He is also known to be a close associate of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Following Dissanayake’s victory at the 2024 presidential election, Dr. Nandika was selected by the President to serve as President’s Secretary.
However, due to recent disputes within the JVP camp and unrest at the Pelawatte headquarters, the report states that a group has proposed appointing Prabath Chandrakirthi as the new President’s Secretary.
Chandrakirthi is described as an active supporter of the party.
He is a special grade officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service and was promoted last February.
He currently serves as Chief of Staff to President Dissanayake and has previously served as Commissioner General of Essential Services.
If the proposed appointments are made, Mahinda Samarasinghe will end his term and return to Sri Lanka in July.
Thereafter, Dr. Nandika is expected to leave for Washington as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
This possible diplomatic appointment comes at a critical time, as Sri Lanka continues discussions on developing trade relations with the United States.
If appointed, Dr. Nandika will have to engage with the Trump administration during a sensitive period for bilateral economic and diplomatic relations.
Meanwhile, political sources further state that Mahinda Samarasinghe, given his extensive experience in politics and foreign relations, is likely to play a key advisory role within the National People’s Power government after returning to the country in July.
