by Our Correspondent in Colombo
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has come under intense scrutiny following a surge of social media posts accusing him of corruption, favoritism, and sexual misconduct. The allegations, now spreading rapidly across multiple platforms, claim that the minister has used his position to appoint close associates and personal contacts to senior roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and awarded them major financial projects without any competitive tender process. More disturbingly, several posts allege that he has exploited women within the ministry, using his authority to manipulate appointments and favors in exchange for personal gratification.
The scandal has struck a devastating blow to the government, which came to power pledging to eradicate politicization, favoritism, and sexism—issues that plagued the previous administration. Yet, the unfolding situation suggests little has changed. Photographs and videos circulating online have fueled further suspicion, while the ministry and the minister himself have remained conspicuously silent. Instead, several senior government figures have responded by filing complaints accusing social media users of conducting “character assassinations,” rather than addressing the substance of the allegations.
When approached for comment, key sources within the ministry neither confirmed nor denied the claims. Speaking under conditions of anonymity, one insider admitted that the atmosphere inside the ministry has become “unbearably tense,” describing it as “a complete breakdown of professionalism.” The official added that staff morale is at an all-time low, with many fearing political retaliation for speaking out.
A retired senior diplomat, who served decades in the foreign service, painted a grim picture of systemic rot within Sri Lanka’s diplomatic institutions. “This is not new,” he said. “There have been cases of sexual misconduct, favoritism, and moral corruption for years. Some officials used their power for personal pleasure, promoting those who complied and sidelining those who didn’t. It’s pathetic and deeply shameful. Sometimes I wonder if we even need a foreign service when those running it have no conscience left.”
Adding to the sense of disarray, the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been offline for over two days, raising further questions about transparency. Meanwhile, the high-profile plinemenerly discussion on forthcoming Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2025 took place yesterday, but the Foreign Minister was notably absent. The event was chaired instead by 34-year-old Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, whose inexperience was evident as he struggled to manage proceedings in front of senior diplomats.
Meanwhile, inside sources from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have asserted that any credible allegations against members of the government will trigger a comprehensive investigation. They emphasized that the party has previously acted decisively against its own members involved in similar misconduct, stating that “no one is above accountability.”
