UK Tour: Only important people accompanied President: President’s office

20 September 2022 12:56 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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It was only some important people who had accompanied President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his recent tour to Britain to attend the funeral of British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, a spokesperson from the President’s office confirmed today.

According to the spokesperson, only President Wickremesinghe, Ms. Wickremesinghe, a special aide, three security personnel and the Director International Affairs attached to the President’s office were in the tour party. “The Director International Affairs had to join in the tour to organize media coverage in Britain,” she said.

She was responding to comments made by MP Kumara Welgama, who said the delegation which the President took to Britain was 'a little high'. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 18

rew Tuesday, 20 September 2022 01:13 PM

The situation in Sri Lanka (Hopeless and No Hope in site) demanded that Ranil need not have gone on this trip. The UK and World would have fully understood this.

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R k Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:50 PM

But may be there can be benefits for the country he can gain through this trip. It’s a good networking opportunity (although it’s not a nice thing to say about a funeral , it’s true )

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sam Tuesday, 20 September 2022 04:15 PM

Very correct. begging bowl in one hand an paying 1.3 million per air ticket. huh

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LankanLover Tuesday, 20 September 2022 04:59 PM

This is where we failed in our economy so many unnecessary travels on public money! you are so right on this bro

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Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 20 September 2022 01:32 PM

Three society people? Who are they? Were they invited too or they just spent time doing shopping. What media coverage was required in this. Only Ranil and wife should have gone. Maximum another person.

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Lamk Tuesday, 20 September 2022 01:32 PM

This is not a big issue at all..MR took a flight full of people abroad some time and how much money is wasted by MR and co .. compare to that this is nothing but it is good to point out all this at this time . Politicians should take some responsibility to all these expenses

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Dee Tuesday, 20 September 2022 01:51 PM

He should have taken a plane load. That would have certainly resulted in closure of Srilankan which in turn would have been a blessing.

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බැංකු හොරෙක් Tuesday, 20 September 2022 01:57 PM

Under the situation the country is facing Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London should have represented the island at the funeral. Sri Lankan leaders have no sympathy towards their citizens who have a hand to mouth existence. Ranil's next plan will be to attend the coronation. Hopefully the UK will impose a travel ban on Sri Lankan leaders.

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Be Fair Tuesday, 20 September 2022 01:58 PM

Good that he went to the UK. Wonder he will be able to do more

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Lost Lankan Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:08 PM

Lucky we saved some money. If Raja was in power, the aircraft and a stared hotel would have been exclusively booked at the state's expense.

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Neville Jayakody Tuesday, 20 September 2022 02:17 PM

RW thinks if his record is just below MR's he is justified, no matter what happens to Sri Lanka and its people and who earns the money!

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Kumara Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:32 PM

As far as I am aware no British or other foreign media, except Sri Lankan ones covered President's visit.

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Wrong, Wrong wrong Tuesday, 20 September 2022 03:59 PM

If this accurate, MP Welgama and his party may all being just rabble rouses, who haven't researched enough before slinging the mud. One of MP Welgama party big publicity pullers, ex-President Chandika is bad, bad and bad. She failed our country. Hence maybe the whole of his party is filled with poor thinkers.

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Citizen Tuesday, 20 September 2022 04:19 PM

Ranil is now due to go for another funeral in Japan in a few days! When MR once went to China his Delegation comprised near 200 !!!.

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Buddhist Tuesday, 20 September 2022 04:44 PM

Why do we need media coverage in UK or from UK? Waste of tax payers money.

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hoodwinker Tuesday, 20 September 2022 05:24 PM

So how many UNIMPORTANT people are working in his office? When you see the pix RW with King Charlie III , the body language especially RW's hands tells a story.

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Always take his talk with grain of salt Tuesday, 20 September 2022 07:16 PM

@බැංකු හොරෙක් While I am not a fan of Ranil. What he did to the Aragalaya is unforgivable, I do respect his capability in the circumstances. Our High Commissioner would be nobody relative to all the other country leaders, so Ranil going there is a great show. There are other, older men, like G. L. Peiris, who don't have the flair. Our current Foreign minister might be good with law, and excellent at the UN too for his previous professional experience, but he too would not quite make the cut compared to old Ranil. Person's like Harasha De Silva who so wanted the President's role would be complete joke when it comes to meeting Royalty. He's clown enough already with this false talk. All in all, Ranil is bad a President who doesn't understand youth or freedom, but he's probably the best from the parliament to represent us at the event with the stifling lot of oldies.

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Charles Rush Wednesday, 21 September 2022 04:35 AM

Why did RW and the gang had to fly Emirates? This is because SriLankan Airways do not have a FIRST CLASS Cabin in SL Aircraft’s. Each ticket must have cost at least 7 or 8 thousand pounds if they all traveled first class, I. e , Rs 3 mill plus. per ticket. !!! What about the hotel costs.? Can someone ask for detailed cost for the joy ride under RFI Act. Come on Mr Walgama, DO IT ! Please

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