Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena, who recalled the country's ambassador to Austria for not answering his call said this week that he did so in order to "send a message to other embassies as well".
Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera and five other embassy staff were recalled from their service for leaving Sirisena's phonecalls "unanswered for several hours".
Commenting on the incident, Sirisena said that he had tried to contact the embassy for four and half hours.
“However, no one was available to respond to at least one of the six phones at the embassy. Therefore, the entire Sri Lankan staff from the ambassador to the labourer was recalled. The staff will return soon. I made this order to send a message to other embassies as well,” Sirisena was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera recall, however remained silent on the reason for it.
Sri Lanka's embassy in Austria also extends its purview to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Serbia.
“However, no one was available to respond to at least one of the six phones at the embassy. Therefore, the entire Sri Lankan staff from the ambassador to the labourer was recalled. The staff will return soon. I made this order to send a message to other embassies as well,” he said.