Sri Lankan government to close several foreign missions in Europe

The Sri Lankan government has decided to shut down several diplomatic missions in Europe while establishing several new missions in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Sri Lankan missions in Poland, Netherlands, Austria Norway and Sweden are to be closed down and one mission is to be established to oversee affairs in these countries.
The government is to focus its diplomatic ties from the West towards African nations following the outcome of the resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. Sri Lanka is to however maintain its missions in the UK, France, Germany and the European Union. However, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has said the decision to close some foreign missions in Europe was not linked to the UNHRC resolution. He has explained that there were only four Sri Lankan missions in the African continent and therefore it has been decided to increase diplomatic relations with the African nations. According to Peiris, the decision had been made before the passing of the resolution.