Foreign Ministry considers maintaining 65 overseas missions

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country is considering whether it is necessary to maintain 65 overseas missions, says State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya. 

The State Minister, speaking at the Parliament today (24), said that the Foreign Ministry does not see the need of maintaining 65 embassies over the world if the country's diplomatic services can be handled by another nearby country. 

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella demanded as to the reason for the Foreign Ministry to shut down embassies located in Iraq, Norway, Cyprus, especially when over 10,000 Sri Lankans are currently in Cyprus.