Norway’s former minister of Climate and Environment Erik Solheim has called on the international community to support Sri Lanka.
Taking to ‘X’, Erik Solheim said even though it was only two weeks since Sri Lanka elected Anura Kumara Dissanayaka as President, he has used the time well.
Erik Solheim, who was appointed as former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s International Climate Adviser in October 2022, outlined why everyone should help the new administration.
- He got the diplomacy exactly right. First meeting with the Indian high commissioner, then the Chinese ambassador, signalling that India is most important for Sri Lanka, then comes China next. Later he met ambassadors from everywhere else, the West, Russia and more. This is a clear signal of a “Sri Lanka first” foreign policy.
- Immediately upon swearing in he visited the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and was blessed by the Mahanayakes. Later he met with Tamil and Muslim political and religious leaders. His insistence on creating a Sri Lanka for all ethnic communities is strong.
- He has reached out to the business community underlining that only by working closely with businesses, can he create a prosperous Sri Lanka and bring the resources needed to improve education, health and opportunities for the poor.
- He brings a non-corrupt core of people to state power. By reducing luxury car allowances for ministers, he signals a more modest lifestyle for leaders.
- Dressing in khaki he signals a leadership close to people.
Erik Solheim pointed out that none of this will by itself solve all problems in Sri Lanka and that it also will not calm all scepticism toward a left-wing leader among diplomats.
“But it is for sure a good start. Everyone should now roll up their sleeves and help him build a peaceful, multi-ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka,” he added. (Newswire)