Austin Fernando, President Maithripala Sirisena's former secretary, has been named Sri Lanka's next High Commissioner to India.
He will replace Chitrangani Wagiswara, a career foreign service officer, officials said.
Fernando was Sirisena's Secretary until first of this month when he resigned. His will be a political appointment outside the foreign service.
Sources close to Fernando said that he had received his letter of appointment from Sirisena pending clearance by parliament's high posts committee.
A date for Fernando's formal posting in New Delhi was not known, officials said.
He had previously served as the governor for the Eastern Province and an Advisor to the president.