President's swearing in:

Delegates from four countries to participate

Sandasen MARASINGHE

A delegation of 40 members from four countries will arrive at Sri Lanka to attend the ceremonial inauguration of the second term in office of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson stated that dignitaries from China, Bhutan, Pakistan and the Maldives will attend the ceremony. He also added that a 10 member Chinese delegation including Special Envoy of the President of China, Sang Guowei and Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Hu Zhengyue has already arrived in Sri Lanka.

The spokesperson further said that the 18 member delegation of Bhutan includes Prime Minister Lyonchhen and spouse of Prime Minister Aum Rinsy Dem Thinley. The four member Pakistan delegation includes Pakistan Senate Chairman Farook Hamid Naek, his wife Farzhana Naek and State Minister Saleem Mandviwalla. The eight member delegation from the Maldives include the dignitaries of President Mohamed Nasheed, Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain, Maldives Democratic Party Chairperson Mariya Ahamed Didi (MP) and Minority Leader of the People's Majlis Moosa Maniku (MP).