Dr. Jayathilake says he played "a special role" against attempts to charge Sri Lanka with war crimes

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya that he was puzzled as he received the fax message on Friday.

"It has ordered me to relinquish the duties and return to Colombo on 20 August," he said.

The former senior political science lecturer at the Colombo University was appointed in 2007 by President Rajapaksa, from outside the foreign service, as the government intensified its propaganda during the conflict with the Tamil Tigers.

He was influential, he says, in nullifying international attempts to bring war crime charges against the Sri Lankan government at a recent UNHRC session days after the defeat of the LTTE.

"I do not want to claim the full credit but I think I did play a special role as the permanent representative in Geneva so this decision is illogical."

13 amendment

Human rights lobbiests claimed the government victory at the Geneva session was largely due to months of hard work and lobbying of nations by Ambassador Jayatilleka.

Some people say the reason behind this is that I openly supported the 13 amendment. But as far as I am aware that is the policy of the government. So how can it be a sin?   Dr. Dayan Jayathilake

The only Sinhala national in Sri Lanka's first (and the last) north-east provincial council, Dr. Jayatilleka is an ardent supporter of devolution of power.

A strong critic of the Tamil Tigers, he has been publicly supporting the government's pledge to implement 13 amendment to the constitution, that devolves power into the provinces.

"Some people say the reason behind this is that I openly supported the 13 amendment. But as far as I am aware that is the policy of the government. So how can it be a sin?" he questioned.

"Nobody informed me not to promote it".

The decision to expel him from the post might indicate the new direction of the government, according to the diplomat.

"People will have to determine what this signal means," Dr. Jayatilleka added.