One of the finest foreign ministers the nation missed

In the storied history of Sri Lanka's foreign policy, only a few names have risen to occupy that rare space of being remembered not just for holding office, but for shaping how the world sees Sri Lanka.

- BY VELUPPILLAI KANANATHAN

Ali Sabry, the former Foreign Minister, now joins that league evoking comparisons with towering legends like A.C.S. Hameed, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Mangala Samaraweera, Prof. G.L. Peiris and Tilak Marapana.

Though each of those men brought their own distinctive style and era-defining contributions to diplomacy, Ali Sabry stood out for navigating one of the toughest chapters in Sri Lanka's modern history: the aftermath of an economic collapse.

He took on the foreign ministry portfolio not in times of stability, but at a moment of deep crisis-a time when Sri Lanka faced global skepticism, financial ruin, and political unrest. And yet, he did not flinch. A steady voice in turbulent times, Ali Sabry reshaped Sri Lanka's global image with clarity and conviction.

With measured calm and unshakable composure, Sabry stepped onto global stages from press rooms to boardrooms and began the difficult task of defending, clarifying, and rebuilding Sri Lanka's credibility.

A proven legal genius, his grounding as a seasoned lawyer gave him a formidable advantage. He had an unmatched panache for persuasive argument, a style that was both intellectually sharp and diplomatically tactful. His interviews with foreign journalists - often pointed and probing became masterclasses in calm rebuttal and strategic messaging. Whether the questions involved human rights, IMF reforms, or regional geopolitics, Sabry remained unshaken, pleasant, and smiling - traits that became his signature.