President off to New York

• President to address UN General Assembly on Wednesday

President Maithripala Sirisena left for New York, US yesterday to attend the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).

The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72) convened at the UN Headquarters on 12 September. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 19 September, with a focus on the theme, ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’.

The President is due to address the General Assembly in the evening of 19 September. This is the third time that President Maithripala Sirisena is addressing the UN General Assembly.

The President will also brief the world leaders on the consensual politics in Sri Lanka as well as on reconciliation and peace and the initiatives taken by the Government after declaring 2017 the Year for Poverty Alleviation and also regarding the program for the concept of green development.   

The President is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with several world leaders participating in the sessions.

During his visit to the US, President Sirisena will participate in a series of programs, including a meeting with members of the Sri Lankan community domiciled there.