Colombo (PTI) Veteran Sri Lankan diplomat Dayan Jayatilleka has been sacked triggering speculation that his protest against Israeli incursion into Gaza could have prompted the move.

Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said he hadn't the "foggiest notion" why he was terminated as it was not contained in his letter of dismissal.

Official sources confirmed that Mr. Jayatilleka has been told to "relinquish his duties".

The diplomat is a strong advocate of devolution of powers to provinces, including those with majority Tamil population, and favours strong ties with India.

"The news item which quoted a Foreign Ministry source, though not explicitly giving a reason has made reference to a statement made by the irrepressible Ambassador (Jayatilleka) when he gave vent to his feelings over the cruel bombing of Gaza," the Island Newspaper said in an article on Monday.

"Dayan (Jayatilleka) had to not only take on parties who had been virtually hired by the LTTE lobbyists but also take on prejudiced, hostile women such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillai," it said.

Also see