February 10, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has departed Sri Lanka this (10) morning for a significant three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The visit, scheduled from February 10 to 13, follows an invitation extended by UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and forms part of the ongoing diplomatic relations between the two nations.
During his time in the UAE, President Dissanayake will attend the prestigious ‘World Government Summit 2025’ in Dubai, where he is set to address an international audience on various topics related to governance, development, and collaboration between nations.
As part of the visit, the President will also engage in high-level bilateral talks with President Bin Zayed, discussing several key areas of mutual interest, with a focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties.
Accompanying the President are several prominent officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, as well as 13 other senior government representatives.
Their participation underscores the importance of the visit and the potential for Sri Lanka to enhance its relationships with the UAE and other nations in the region.
In the President’s absence, the Sri Lankan government has appointed four acting ministers to manage the operations of key ministries.
These interim appointments will ensure the continued smooth functioning of the government during this brief period.
The following acting ministers have been designated:
- Acting Minister of Digital Economy: Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne
- Acting Minister of Defence: Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera
- Acting Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development: Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando
- Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism: Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra
