Mr. Jayasuriya told a news conference that the President had attended this event as a head of a sovereign nation and not as the leader of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

“Therefore, if the President is subjected to humiliation, we consider it as a humiliation to the country as a whole. Although we belong to another political party and hold different views, we must state this fact without any political bias,” he said.

He said he had no intention of expressing his views about Sri Lanka’s participation at this event because it was the sole responsibility of the Government to decide who should attend and at what level.

“According to reports many countries did not send their heads of states. Some countries were represented by ministerial level delegates. Whenever foreign visits of this nature are planned, it is the External Affairs Ministry which must provide necessary advice and guidance,” Mr. Jayasuriya said.