Wickremesinghe returns home from high profile US visit

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 November 2003, 02:56 GMT]
United National Front (UNF) government ministers, parliamentarians and party activists thronged the country's international airport and accorded warm welcome to the Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe when he returned home Friday morning around 8.00am after a high profile official tour to the United States of America (USA) after meeting President George W.Bush, political sources said.

Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe was immediately briefed at the airport lounge by his senior ministers and the UNF hierarchy about the latest political situation prevailing following the dismissal of his three ministers, two-week suspension of the parliament and the introduction of the State of Emergency by the President.



An independent source said, a large crowd estimated one hundred thousand had gathered at Katunayake International Airport site to welcome Sri Lanka's Prime Minister.

Meanwhile the city of Colombo has been put on red alert and the members of the security forces have been deployed at strategist junctions.

Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge in the meantime has instructed senior police officials who are in charge of city's security not to give room for any partisan activity. She held a conference Thursday evening with acting Inspector General of Police and other senior officials and reviewed the security situation in the country, police said

Presidential Secretariat later announced that Ms. Kumaratunge is to address the nation Friday at twelve noon over the State run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.




United National Front supporters cheering to the Prime Minister returning from the U.S.