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N.M. Ameen reporting from New York

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrives in New York today (14) to address the 57th General Assembly of the United Nations.

The premier will address the General Assembly on Wednesday (18) and meet UN Secretary General Koffi Annan.

He will stay in New York from September 14 to 20 and is due to address two seminars attended by major industrialists and leading entrepreneurs in the United States.

He will also have talks with a number of heads of business organisations to promote investments in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister will urge US business leaders and Sri Lankan expatriate entrepreneurs to invest in Sri Lanka by taking advantage of the current peaceful environment.

Premier Wickremesinghe is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday in addition to meeting several other Heads of States and foreign ministers attending the 57th UN General Assembly.

The Prime Minister will preside over a high profile investment forum in New York and hold discussions with officials of the New York Stock Exchange on strategies for economic development in Sri Lanka.

Investment Promotion Minister Prof.G.L Pieris and Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda, members of the Government delegation for Thailand peace negotiations will also join the Prime minister at the conclusion of the first session of talks.

The Ministers will be accompanied by Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing, Minister G.L Pieris said the international community was of the opinion that Sri Lanka has been unable to derive the maximum out of the country's natural advantages due to the war.

"But the peace process has put Sri Lanka on the 'radar screen' of the world. Sri Lanka has attracted attention all over the world and one objective of the Prime Minister's tour will be to make use of this situation," he added.

After the US tour, Prof Peiris will leave for Canada to hold discussions with the Canadian Foreign Minister on September 23 in Ottawa.

The Canadian government is willing to assist development projects but also provide technical expertise to Sri Lanka for future constitutional and political changes, Prof Peiris said. 

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