Sri Lankan President and accused war criminal Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country today (18) to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lankan President’s Media Division said.
In 2009, while Gotabaya Rajapaksa served as defence secretary, he is accused of having ordered war crimes and crimes against humanity during the civil war.
Over 100 Heads of State or Government are expected to attend this year’s High-Level General Debate in person. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, 21 September 2021.
The theme of this year’s General Debate, which begins on Tuesday, the 21st, is “Building resilience through hope – to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalize the United Nations.”
U.S. President Joe Biden will deliver first UN General Assembly speech as president on Sept. 21.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to address the summit on the 22nd and on the sideline of the sessions, the President is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with several heads of state. According to the local reports, Foreign Minister Prof. GL Peiris, Chief Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage are accompanying the President.
