24 September 2014 07:28 am
By Sandun A Jayasekera
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in New York late Monday afternoon, accompanied by the first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and with a huge entourage to participate in the United Nations’ 69th General Assembly (UNGA) was slated to address the Climate Summit 2014 last night, being held on the sidelines of the UNGA.
He is scheduled to deliver his speech at the 69th UNGA and participate in the Clinton Global Initiative today. The Presidential Media Unit said it was the seventh address at the UNGA by the President.
President Rajapaksa had sought an opportunity to meet India Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York however, the time and date is yet to be confirmed by the Indian government. He is also scheduled to have an audience with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and meet several commonwealth heads of governments during his stay in New York.
The President’s entourage include; External Affairs Minister, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka, Deputy Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Nirupama Rajapaksa, External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP, Sajin Waas Gunawardana and MPs A.H.M. Azwer, Neranjan Wickramasingha and J.R.P. Suriyapperuma.
The group of officials in the Presidential entourage headed by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga includes; External Affairs Ministry Secretary Ksenuka Seneviratne, Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Dr. T.R.C. Ruberu and Director Climate Change Secretariat of the Environment and Renewable Energy Ministry, Dr. Sunimal Jayatunga. In addition, diplomats Dr. Palitha Kohonna, Prasad Kariyawasam and Major General Shavendra Silva would accompany President Rajapaksa on his official engagements.