PM off to South Africa, Kenya

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka left for South Africa yesterday where he will represent Sri Lanka at the inauguration of new South African President, Jacob Zuma, in Pretoria, South Africa's capital on May 9.

Zuma was elected President by the South African Parliament on Wednesday. The ruling African National Congress of which Zuma is the leader won the recently held elections with an overwhelming majority.

Zuma is the fourth democratically elected President of South Africa after the transfer of power to the majority in 1994.

The inauguration on Saturday is expected to be attended by a large number of foreign dignitaries.

After South Africa the Prime Minister will be visiting Kenya which is an important member of the five nation trading bloc, East African Community. This will be the first visit by a Sri Lankan Prime Minister to Kenya after so many years.