President off to Singapore on two-day official visit

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will fly to Singapore today (21 August) on a two-day official visit. 

Throughout this visit, President has a series of significant meetings planned, including discussions with Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob and talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, and Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien. The latter will engage in bilateral talks with President.

Under the provisions of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, countries have the opportunity to collaborate effectively with the objective of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions through international carbon trading. Accordingly, a cooperative understanding concerning carbon neutrality within the framework of the Paris Agreement will be established between the governments of Sri Lanka and Singapore. The signing of this agreement is anticipated after deliberations between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Prime Minister of Singapore.

Joining the President on this visit will be Chief of Presidential Staff and Senior Advisor on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Advisor on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardena, and Senior Advisor on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga.

Simultaneously, during President Wickremesinghe’s absence from the country, four Acting Ministers have been designated to oversee the ministries under his purview. The appointments include State Defence Minister Pramita Bandara Tennakoon as the Acting Defence Minister, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe as the Acting Finance Minister, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policy for the duration of the President’s absence, State Technology Minister Kanaka Herath has been appointed as the Acting Technology Minister and State Social Empowerment Minister Anupa Pasqual has been appointed as the Acting Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment Minister.