<p>Sri Lanka's foreign minister, Tilak Marapana, called on diplomats to improve the country's image abroad through their diplomacy, the Sunday Times reports. </p>
<p>Marapana, speaking at an awarding ceremony of the Public Diplomacy and Media Relations training programme on Friday, stressed the importance of presenting Sri Lanka as a civilised nation with untapped potential and talent. </p>
<p>Foreign secretary, Ravinatha Aryasinha, said that international affairs would continue to play a pivotal role in diplomacy both at home and abroad. </p>
<p>Read more <a href="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1063762/foreign-minister-calls-on-dip…">here</a>. </p>
<p>His comments following last year's two months of political crisis when the president sacked the then prime minister and dissolved parliament. </p>
<p>The crisis resulted in several international loans and economic agreements being stalled and financial institutions expressing grave concerns.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka's rupee suffered greatly, falling to an all time low from which it continues to struggle to recover from. </p>
A former Sri Lankan military officer has been arrested after he reportedly raped a…