UNP MP and former foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera has lamented Sri Lanka's foreign policy, arguing that it should focus on western countries, rather than Africa.
“External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris recently said Sri Lanka didn’t need the assistance of Western countries and soon after the Government began focusing its attention on African countries. The minister also said the Government would establish diplomatic relations with 15 selected African countries,
“If our foreign policy was healthy and doing well, the turnout at the CHOGM would have not been so low. I think Minister Peiris should resign after taking responsibility for our dilapidated foreign policy,”
“Only 21 Heads of Government Heads took part in the Summit,” said Samaraweera, pointing out that only 7 out of 19 African heads of state attended the summit, highlighting Nigeria as an influential absentee.