President to attend Trump’s anti-drug summit

President Maithripala Sirisena is to participate in an international summit organised by United States President Donald Trump on tackling the global illegal narcotics trade.

Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, addressing media at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party headquarters yesterday, said that President Trump would be holding an international summit with the participation of world leaders on extensive and long-term measures that could be adopted by nations to address the illegal drug market.

“President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to President Sirisena and other world leaders to participate in this summit on tackling international drug trafficking. President Sirisena has agreed to take part,” the Minister said.

He added that the President had been an ardent supporter of eradicating the narcotics trade and related issues in Sri Lanka.

“This is an issue that President Sirisena has been continuously speaking of. Every month he speaks with officials from each district on the current status and programs on curbing drug peddling and use. As Sri Lanka is becoming the transit hub of South Asia, this international summit organised by the US will help us share methods to curb the narcotics menace,” Minister Samarasinghe said.

Furthermore, the Minister said that President Sirisena would be giving a speech on the late South African President Nelson Mandela on 24 September during the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at the 23rd United Nations (UNGA) General Assembly.

In addition, President Sirisena will be addressing the UNGA on 25 September. (SG)