President leaves on maiden visit abroad

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island on Saturday (17) on his first visit after becoming president, traveling to the UK to attend Monday's funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport said that a group including the President left for Dubai this morning on an Emirates Flight. From Dubai the entourage will go on to London.

Heads of state and government from around the world are to attend the funeral.