A 15-member delegation is accompanying President Mahinda Rajapakasa during his current visit to New York to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly sessions.
The delegation includes ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Rohitha Bogollagama, Douglas Devananda, Susil Premajayantha, Dullas Alahapperuma and presidential advisor A.H.M. Azwer.
Eastern province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilliyan was also due to be in the delegation but he later pulled out. The Chief Minister was in Japan and is due to return to the country today.
An eight member media team comprising journalists from the state media has also been flown to New York to cover the presidential visit.
Last year, the President was accompanied by a 60-member delegation when he attended the UN annual sessions. | 
E-mail