President To Visit New York Next Month Despite Tamil Diaspora Protest

Although bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the US have not shown a significant improvement, President Rajapaksa is to leave for New York next month for an official visit.

During the visit, President Rajapaksa will address the 69th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly on September 25.

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The Sri Lankan President will leave for New York after the state visits to Sri Lanka by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on September 7 and 8 and Chinese President Xi Jinpeng on September 16 and 17.

When the President was planning to visit the US last year, Tamil Diaspora groups strongly protested the move, resulting in cancellation of   the visit.

Media reports claimed that this year too, Tamil Diaspora groups have planned a protest outside UN Headquarters, to coincide with the Sri Lankan President’s speech at the UN General Assembly.

They will strongly protest the Sri Lankan President’s decision to deny Visa to UN inquiry team who are investigating into alleged war crimes during the final phase of war in Sri Lanka.

 

However, the Sri Lankan President’s media unit has not yet made any announcement pertaining to his visit to the US next month.