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MR to attend Nelson Mandela's funeral

8 December 2013 08:07 am - 40     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit South Africa to pay his last respects to the late Nelson Mandela and then visit Kenya, Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayaka said.

Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for South Africa this afternoon to attend the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela. The President will arrive in South Africa this evening and attend funeral services on Tuesday (Dec. 10) and Wednesday (Dec. 11).

The official memorial service is scheduled to take place Tuesday morning at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg. Memorial services will take place at several different locations in order to give an opportunity for more people to pay their last respects to the late President Mandela. A large number of heads of state are expected to attend the official memorial ceremony at the stadium along with a large number of other dignitaries. On Wednesday, President Rajapaksa will go to Pretoria to view President Mandela’s remains that will be lying in state at the Union Buildings.

Following his visit to South Africa, President Rajapaksa will then travel to Kenya for a four-day state visit during which he is scheduled to conduct bilateral discussions with Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, attend a roundtable discussion with officials from the U.N. Environment Program and U.N. Habitat, and partake in a business forum. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Civil Aviation Mr. Geethanjana Gunawardena, Chief Minister of the Uva Province Mr. Shashindra Rajapaksa, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Mr. Sajin De Vass Gunawardena, and Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga accompanied the President to South Africa.

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  Comments - 40

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  • Anil Ekanayake Monday, 09 December 2013 02:54 AM

    Invited ?? LOL

    Singha Baba Sunday, 08 December 2013 02:09 PM

    HITLER/ BOTHA /MUSALENEE /RAJAPAKSHA ARE NOT INVITED

    Sam Sunday, 08 December 2013 02:47 PM

    Next MADdela?

    GonAliya Sunday, 08 December 2013 02:48 PM

    Make hay while sun shines

    truth Sunday, 08 December 2013 03:31 PM

    One terror was replaced by another. that is all happened!!!

    Shah Sunday, 08 December 2013 03:53 PM

    good comment..

    Rf Sunday, 08 December 2013 04:18 PM

    Unfortunately he is the head of commonwealth and he is visiting representing Sri Lanka and commonwealth.

    Gamarala Sunday, 08 December 2013 04:23 PM

    Of course he should attend the funeral. MR liberated Sri Lanka from the ruthless terror group the LTTE and we have peace now.

    ANTON Monday, 09 December 2013 02:00 AM

    ANOTHER PLANE LOAD OF PARASITES.

    Anil Ekanayake Monday, 09 December 2013 02:52 AM

    How sure are you?

    Lanka Shantha Sunday, 08 December 2013 01:50 PM

    Learn from Mandela. He was once only the president of his country.

    MCDONALD Monday, 09 December 2013 03:12 AM

    He could have sent a wreath without a show off at the expenses of our citizens. Another jumbo cabinet tour?

    Fayad Monday, 09 December 2013 03:22 AM

    Europeans and Americans do not like Asian countries coming up
    It is very funny that some Silankans still love to salute the colonial masters.

    Thomas Monday, 09 December 2013 03:26 AM

    Is there any comparison between the two?

    taurus Monday, 09 December 2013 04:52 AM

    Too late, he already is sleeping on more than 40,000 graves.

    taurus Monday, 09 December 2013 04:53 AM

    That is if they like to meet and be seen with a devil like this.

    citizen Monday, 09 December 2013 07:49 AM

    Well said Fayad..

    ram Monday, 09 December 2013 08:30 AM

    yes that why we voted for TNA.

    වෙදමහත්තයා Monday, 09 December 2013 10:12 AM

    මහජන සල්ලි වලින් නිසා හෙම එකටම අපෙ ජනාදිපති තුමා යනවා.

    Adam Monday, 09 December 2013 10:59 AM

    "South Africans crowded into churches, mosques, temples and synagogues on December 8 to remember Mandela,".
    Wish we could have the same friendship in Sri Lanka if not for politics.

    RamUk Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:59 AM

    what an unpleasant scenario..

    Ass--charya Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:09 AM

    The best respect he can show towards Nelson Mandela, is to try and be like him.

    Asanka Thennakoon Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:13 AM

    Commodity prices to go up again

    Pasel Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:20 AM

    But one thing is true Mandela won't look at him or shake his hand

    Chinaman Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:26 AM

    He would love to meet other " World Leaders ".That is more importantt.

    Apo Apa-apa Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:27 AM

    on who is expenses? using from public fund please enjoy the trip. Thanks for the new budjet

    Hello World-Lanka Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:30 AM

    Europe and American countries are given up. Now getting more closer to African countries..very funny. Will African country sponsor for this exxpenses?

    Mallay Poll Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:40 AM

    Bud jet 2014 is working now. suba chintanyak suba anagatayk

    clueless Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:43 AM

    You should as you too fought against terrorism to free the people, specially north of this country

    KaluSudhaSudha Sunday, 08 December 2013 10:51 AM

    Mango friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ravi Sunday, 08 December 2013 08:51 AM

    What a shame!!!

    sam Sunday, 08 December 2013 11:48 AM

    Ayyo salli!

    Nesan Sunday, 08 December 2013 11:54 AM

    You are right, I am sure Mandela would not like Rajapaksa to attend.

    Apsara Sunday, 08 December 2013 12:15 PM

    Next Mandela.

    Sanaboy Sunday, 08 December 2013 12:31 PM

    Like to know the size of the contingent

    Dalu Banda Sunday, 08 December 2013 12:33 PM

    Be careful , the South Africa is an agent of the " international community" .

    takethat Sunday, 08 December 2013 12:47 PM

    Would have been news if he didn't..

    pbahu Sunday, 08 December 2013 12:53 PM

    ai deyyo..... liyumak ariyoth maditha? ape salli aparade neda?

    Belisol Sunday, 08 December 2013 01:04 PM

    Not even invited!

    portugese Sunday, 08 December 2013 01:19 PM

    And come back and call himself as local Mandala and call hiss relation Mervin as local Gandhi.


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