Sri Lanka has issued a clarification regarding its diplomatic representation in Israel, following recent public discourse that raised concerns about the country’s presence there. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to prevent any misunderstandings related to this matter.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry affirmed that Sri Lanka continues to maintain its official embassy in Tel Aviv, which has served as the nation’s sole diplomatic mission in Israel since 2000. “The embassy remains fully operational and functions as the primary diplomatic channel between the two countries,” Sabry stated in a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
In addition, Sri Lanka has appointed an honorary consul in the Haifa region to provide consular support to Sri Lankans residing and working in the area. The Foreign Minister clarified that this appointment, made prior to the events of October 7, 2023, adheres to standard international protocols.
“Honorary consuls, usually citizens of the host country, voluntarily offer essential consular services. The honorary consul in Haifa continues to provide such services, operating from an office they maintain in a voluntary capacity,” Sabry emphasized.
Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that Sri Lanka has not established any new consulates nor appointed additional honorary consuls in Israel since that date. “Any claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate and do not reflect the official position or actions of the Sri Lankan government,” he added.
Sabry also noted that it is customary for honorary consuls to relocate their offices within their jurisdiction based on personal or business needs. These relocations, he stressed, are purely administrative and should not be misinterpreted as the creation of new consular offices.
“We urge the public and media to rely on verified, official sources for accurate information regarding Sri Lanka’s diplomatic activities, and to avoid being influenced by unverified or incomplete reports,” the Minister concluded.
