President en-route to Sri Lanka after Australian visit

President Maithripala Sirisena reportedly departed from Australia at around 3.00 pm yesterday (26) bringing to an end a successful three-day state visit.

The President tweeted that he was distraught and grieved by the crisis situation in Sri Lanka.

He has reportedly instructed officials to distribute aid to the victims immediately.

President Sirisena has given instructions to the relevant authorities to provide immediate relief to the affected people by the prevailing unfavorable weather conditions across the country, according to the PMD.

The President who is on a state visit to Australia, contacting the Minister of Home Affairs, Vajira  Abeywardena and the Secretary to the President Mr. P.B. Abeykoon via phone instructed to promptly implement programmes to provide relief measures to the affected people by this adverse weather conditions.

President Sirisena also instructed the authorities to allocate the necessary funds to supply required facilities.

The President has given directives to get the assistance of the Tri Forces to carry out relief missions to rescue affected people. He also informed the Secretary to the President to constantly be vigilant about the initiatives taken to provide reliefs to the affected people while coordinating the relevant authorities in this regard.

The President conveyed his deepest condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones due to this disastrous situation and extended his sincere sympathy to all who affected by this catastrophic situation.

The President is scheduled to return to the country today by successfully concluding a three day state visit to Australia.

Meanwhile, during his visit in Australia President Sirisena stated that certain unpatriotic individuals were spreading false rumours with the intention of reclaiming power in the island.

He stated this upon meeting the Sri Lankan community of Sydney.