By Aazam Ameen
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s anticipated visit to Dubai, to attend the Expo 2020 Dubai, has been cancelled, The Morning learnt.
Speaking to The Morning, Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Yoshitha Rajapaksa confirmed the same, and added that the cancellation was to enable the Prime Minister to remain in Sri Lanka to help resolve the pressing economic issues in the country.
“Considering the present economic situation at home and the issues that need to be addressed, the Prime Minister decided not to undertake his visit to Dubai, scheduled for next week. He was invited by the UAE Prime Minister to attend the Dubai Expo as Chief Guest on 3 January, but he will be unable to attend. The Prime Minister has pressing issues to address, and is optimistic the economic situation will improve next year,” Rajapaksa said.
He also stated that with Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves reaching the $ 3 billion target, which was due to be fulfilled before the end of the year, the Prime Minister has a positive outlook that the economy will stabilise in the coming year.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa was scheduled to leave for Dubai on 2 January to participate in the Expo 2020 Dubai as Chief Guest, and was to meet several heads of state during his visit.
Meanwhile, just a few days ago, images were circulated on social media and several news websites of Prime Minister Rajapaksa disembarking from a blue Embraer Legacy 600 business jet at Tirupati International Airport, in line with his private two-day visit to the temple city for a pilgrimage on 23 December.
The Morning subsequently learnt that the Prime Minister was provided with the jet for his use at no charge by the owner. Chief of Staff Yoshitha Rajapaksa had subsequently told The Morning that a personal friend of the Prime Minister had provided the aircraft “free of charge” for his travel to Tirupati. “He is an Indian businessman who does not want to be named. He is a friend of the Prime Minister and it was a gesture of goodwill.”
PM to forego Dubai Expo visit to handle local economic issues
30 Dec 2021
PM to forego Dubai Expo visit to handle local economic issues
30 Dec 2021
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