President in a tizzy over Ruwan’s photo

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Presidential Secretariat today issued an unusual statement in which it accused unnamed Members of Parliament and unspecified social media of misleading the public with regard to Sri Lanka’s delegation to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. 

The president’s office appeared to be reacting to public criticism of a photo in which Mr. Ruwan Wijewardena, the President’s first cousin and Deputy Leader of the United National Party, is also present with the President in London.  

The statement said that Mr. Wijewardena, who is also the Presidential Advisor on Climate Change, had been on a private visit to the United Kingdom and had joined the President’s party at a meeting with Sri Lanka’s diaspora in London. 

The President’s office said that the only officials who accompanied the President at state expense, were the president’s Private Secretary Sandra Perera and Director International Relations Dinuk Colambage. 

First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe had accompanied the President at her personal expense.