Dharamshala — Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay took additional charge of ministery for the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), after Kalon Dicki Chhoyang resigned from her post, a few months before the end of the office term.
"With a sad heart, I resigned today as Kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations for the Central Tibetan Administration," Ms Dicki Chhoyang said in a press release, only weeks before the Tibetan General Election.
The Kashag has accepted the resignation of Kalon Dicki Chhoyang, Minister for the DIIR for the Central Tibetan Administration. "Kalon Dicki Chhoyang has verbally reported to Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay while submitting her letter of resignation about her inability to participate in public debates of the ongoing Tibetan general election as a Kalon," Kashag said in a statement.
In her resignation, Ms Chhoyang also expressed her pride over her position as a minister, saying "it has been a tremendous honor to serve the Tibetan people as Kalon."
"My decision was made with careful deliberation, bearing in mind our collective interest and the significant challenges that lie ahead," she said, added: It is "not a small issue."
"With prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, may His wishes as well as the aspirations of our brothers and sisters in Tibet be fulfilled," she added.
'Whoever participate in the democratic rights bestowed on us by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it is their right to freedom of expression,' Sikyong said, adding: 'Likewise, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang's concerning her participation in the election debates, is her freedom of expression.'
The Kashag said that 'Sikyong Dr Sangay has taken additional charge with immediate effect as the head for the DIIR following Kalon Chhoyang's sudden resignation Sunday morning, citing her desire to devote her time on major issues facing Tibetan people.'
Ms Chhoyang is a lifelong Tibetan activist and female politician who has also lived and worked in Tibet, Beijing, Canada US, and then India. In an interview with the Tibet Post International at her office in Dharamshala, India, in March 2015, Kalon Chhoyang rated her department three-and-a-half-year performance as more than satisfactory, while highlighting the five biggest achievements of the DIIR. Please check out this link for an interview with Kalon Chhoyang.
