Ten diplomats who had family connections with the Rajapaksas and other top rung politicians of the previous government would be recalled today, External Affairs Ministry sources said.

This would be done as the first step of "revamping" the Sri Lankan foreign service which was heavily politicized under the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

" A sizable proportion of diplomats attached to Sri Lankan diplomatic missions overseas are political appointees who are either relatives of the Rajapaksa family or friends," External Affairs Deputy Minister Ajith P Perera speaking to Asian Mirror said.

In addition to relatives of politicians, former politicians who failed to secure their seats in the Parliament
and military officers have also been given diplomatic postings.

The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka had to face numerous challenges in the international domain due to weaknesses of the country's foreign service.