Title: Sri Lankan Ambassador Nominee Bhattrai’s Appointment Rejected by Nepali Parliamentary Committee
Date: September 24, 2024
Kathmandu, Nepal: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee of the Federal Parliament of Nepal has rejected the appointment of Ramakrishna Bhattrai as the ambassador of Sri Lanka, by a two-thirds majority. The decision comes after Bhattrai was unable to provide the necessary educational documents to support his nomination.
Bhattrai had previously requested the hearing committee to withdraw his name from consideration after failing to submit his bachelor’s degree certificate. However, the committee, chaired by Ishwori Devi Nyupane, rejected his name by a two-thirds majority, following a legal provision that requires the nominee’s name to be rejected by a two-thirds majority of the committee members if the nominee himself withdraws the application.
The committee’s decision was based on the lack of educational documents provided by Bhattrai, which is a requirement under the Ambassador Appointment Directive 2075, Section 3(d). The directive states that a person who has completed a bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognized university is eligible for appointment as an ambassador.
The committee also highlighted the importance of following the principle of proportional and inclusive representation in the appointment of ambassadors. The hearing committee emphasized that the government should adhere to the provisions of the Constitution of Nepal, particularly Article 282(1), and the Provisions of the Inclusive and Parliamentary Hearing Committee, 2080, Section 3(1), which require recommendations to be made based on the principles of proportionality and inclusiveness.
Several members of the hearing committee expressed concerns about the lack of representation from Dalit, Madhesi, and Tharu communities in the 17 ambassador nominations submitted by the government. The committee also emphasized the need to consider the qualifications of the nominees when making ambassador appointments.
The government has been urged to ensure that all necessary documents, including the nominee’s qualifications, are submitted at the time of the parliamentary hearing to avoid future complications.
The rejection of Bhattrai’s appointment is a significant development in Nepal’s diplomatic process and highlights the importance of following legal and constitutional provisions in the appointment of ambassadors.
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