Mar 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka has decided to close two embassies and a consulate general due to the prevailing dollar shortage, local media reported.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to close the Sri Lankan Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Oslo, Norway and the Consulate in Sydney, Australia from the 31st of this month.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken this step in view of the serious dollar crisis Sri Lanka is facing at present.

Accordingly, the Consulate General in Dubai will oversee the diplomatic relations with Iraq and the Consulate General in Stockholm, Sweden will handle the diplomatic relations with Norway. High Commission in Canberra, Australia will be handed over the functions of the Consulate General in Sydney.

Sri Lanka maintains 63 missions, which will be reduced to 60 with the closure of these three offices. Sources in the Foreign Ministry say even maintaining the 60 Sri Lankan embassies has become a serious problem due to the dollar crisis.