Karu's two-and-a-half-year term as Sri Lanka's ambassador to Germany

(Excerpted from Karu Jayasuriya, a biography by Nihal Jagathchandra)

- 

The post of Sri Lanka's ambassador to West Germany had Just become vacant as Manel Abeysekera, who was also Sri Lanka's first woman career diplomat had returned to Sri Lanka after completing her tenure. Keen on improving trade relations with Germany, Premadasa on several occasions had suggested Karu take up the post.

But Karu had made various excuses to the president in a bid to avoid the matter as he wished to remain in Sri Lanka and continue his work at C.W Mackie. He had also suggested many others he felt were suitable for the job.

But the president had rejected all suggestions and insisted Karu take up the post. In fact, for nine months Premadasa had left the position unfilled, waiting for Karu to accept the offer. Refusing to take no for an answer, Premadasa then contacted Karu's wife. "Why is Karu refusing to take up this post? If he does accept it, you will both be able to visit your daughters (then studying in the UK) frequently," Premadasa had said.

The thought of seeing her daughters often had appealed to Karu's wife and she too began to press Karu to accept the offer made by the President. As Karu continued to refuse, his daughters, also excited by the prospect of seeing their parents regularly, joined forces with their mother to plead with Karu to take up the ambassador posting. Unable to resist further, Karu eventually decided to accept the post as Sri Lanka's ambassador to West Germany.

The decision meant Karu had to give up his work at C.W Mackie, a subsidiary of Ceylon Trading Company and 52 other companies under it. But Karu had also presented Premadasa with a condition to accept the posting. "I will take up the post Mr President, but I will only remain in Germany for half of the term," he had told Premadasa. The condition was readily accepted by the President. In November 1992, Karu and his wife Vasantha travelled to Germany where he commenced work as Sri Lanka's new ambassador to the European country.