According to information received by 'Lanka E News' and the subsequent investigations carried out revealed that Mr. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara has been illegally using a diplomatic passport pretending to be the Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka. Passport bearing number 1943366 has been issued to Mr. Hewa Matara Gamage Siripala Palihakkara on 19 th October 2004 with the designation stated as 'Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka' He was the Foreign Secretary from 2004 till end of 2006 and was entitled to a diplomatic passport. In November 2006 he went on leave prior to retirement. The usual practice would have been for Mr. Plihakkara to surrender his diplomatic passport and obtain a normal passport.
On 12 th January 2007 Dr Palitha Kohona was appointed as the Foreign Secretary and from that day onwards Mr. Siripala Palihakkara didn't have a legal or a moral right to continue using his Diplomatic Passport with the designation 'Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka.'
It is obvious that he has continued to use the Diplomatic Passport for his personal benefit thereby bringing the government service, the foreign Ministry and the present Foreign Secretary into ridicule.
'Lanka E News' was able to confirm with the Department of emigration in May 2008 that the passport bearing number D1943366 was not cancelled and the designation remains as Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka.
In may airports the authorities do not scrutinize Diplomatic passport holders like the normal passport holders. Further in some airports there are special counters to attend to Diplomatic Passport holders. As his passport gives the designation as Foreign Secretary there is always the possibility that he is given special treatment at foreign airports. E news investigations revealed that Mr. Palihakkara traveled to Japan in mid 2007 and to the USA in the latter part of 2007.
We understands that Mr. Palihakkara is designated to go as the Permanent Representative to the UN in New York. E News also understands that his only child is domiciled in the USA. The Government should carefully consider whether a person who illegally used a Diplomatic Passport and willfully committed a very serious offence is suitable to represent the country. Infact in the backdrop of Karuna Amman going to the UK using a Diplomatic Passport and the subsequent bad publicity it is upto the government to ensure that this matter is fully investigated and justice is meted out.
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