Document #1129209
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
The following information was obtained in 5
October 1994 and 6 October 1994 telephone interviews with the third
secretary of the high commission of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka in Ottawa.
The Sri Lankan foreign service consists of
three classes of employees: Class A employees are diplomatic
officers; Class B employees are the technical and administrative
staff; and Class C employees are the support staff, including
drivers, security guards and others. Class A employees are rarely
non-Sri Lankan, although there are a few exceptions. The source did
not elaborate on this point. Initially the source stated that
classes B and C employees do not have to be Sri Lankan nationals;
however, in the follow-up interview, the source stated that only
Class C employees do not have to be Sri Lankan nationals.
Whether the prospective employee is a Sri
Lankan national and/or a government civil servant will determine
the frequency of security clearance undertaken. The security
clearance verifies whether the employee has a criminal record, and
automatically extends to the employee's immediate family.
For Sri Lankan nationals, the security
clearance of government employees of all three classes is
undertaken at the time of recruitment or initial employment, and is
carried out by the Sri Lankan police. On the basis of the police
report, the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary in Colombo will decide
whether or not to hire the prospective employee. The source stated
that no additional security checks of Sri Lankan government
employees are undertaken subsequent to the initial security
clearance. However, should any information pertinent to security
clearance become available, it will be placed in the employee's
personal file. In the case of prospective employees from outside
the government service, this security clearance is conducted prior
to each posting.
The source stated that the results of the
foreign service open competitive exam which recruits university
graduates is sometimes published in Colombo's local daily papers.
If any individual objects to the results, or is aware that one of
the candidates is guilty of a criminal offense, he can send a
petition to the Foreign Secretary in Colombo citing his objection.
This petition is then examined by the Foreign Secretary and is
verified through the police, thus becoming part of the security
clearance. The Foreign Secretary considers both the petition and
the police record in his decision whether or not to employ the
candidate.
The source also stated that the Foreign
Secretary publishes the appointments of high commissioners and
foreign ambassadors in Colombo's daily papers. The advertisement
also requests objections to these appointments. Those who do object
to the postings of either a foreign ambassador or a high
commissioner must prove their objection with supporting evidence.
The source stated that no objection has yet been successful.
In Sri Lankan missions abroad, non-Sri
Lankan nationals who are non-government employees undergo the same
security clearance which is carried out by the Sri Lankan high
commission's head of chancery (head of administration, head of
office) in conjunction with the host country's local police. The
ultimate decision of employment rests with the high commissioner
based on the reports of the head of chancery and the local
police.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
High Commission of the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in Ottawa. 5 October 1994.
Telephone interview with the third secretary.
. 6 October 1994. Telephone interview
with the third secretary.