Sri Lanka, July 27 -- Diplomatic norms are rooted in the principle of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of host countries. These principles are enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which sets out the framework for diplomatic conduct worldwide. While diplomats are entitled to certain privileges and immunities, they are expected to operate within clearly defined boundaries - avoiding political activism, public commentary on domestic matters, and interference in internal governance.

However, in recent years, Sri Lanka has emerged as an outlier in how it permits foreign diplomats to act. With an increasingly permissive and unstructured approach, successive Governments have enabled forei...