Mahinda Samarasinghe, who recently concluded nearly five years as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, has stated he will not pursue active politics despite his 27-year parliamentary career, though he remains available for diplomatic consultation.
Former Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe has definitively ruled out a return to active political engagement following his recent departure from his diplomatic post. Speaking to media after meeting with the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, Samarasinghe clarified that he resigned from his ambassadorial position due to personal reasons, emphasizing that government pressure played no role in his decision to step down.
During his tenure as Ambassador, Samarasinghe focused on strengthening bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the United States. Among his stated achievements were securing American support for Sri Lanka's International Monetary Fund agreements, negotiating a reduction in US tariffs on Lankan exports to 10 percent, and obtaining military equipment including a naval vessel and helicopters from Washington. The Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter commended these efforts, particularly acknowledging Samarasinghe's work in reducing trade barriers affecting Sri Lankan exporters.
Despite his extensive parliamentary background spanning 27 years, Samarasinghe expressed a firm commitment to withdrawing from political activities. However, he indicated willingness to provide assistance to the government on international matters if called upon. He refrained from commenting on current political developments, citing his decision to step away from active political engagement. The Chief Prelates separately voiced concerns about certain foreign service officials, questioning whether some were making meaningful contributions to national interests.
