President Ranil Wickremesinghe will leave for China tonight (15) to attend the 3rd Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The President will engage a four-day official visit to China from October 16 to 20.

During his absence, the responsibilities of the ministries under his purview have been temporarily entrusted to the respective state ministers and a cabinet minister.

As part of this arrangement, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon will serve as the Acting Minister of Defence, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya as the Acting Minister of Finance, State Minister Kanaka Herath as the Acting Minister of Technology and Acting Minister of Investment Promotion, State Minister Anupa Pasqual as the Acting Minister for Women, Children Affairs and Social Empowerment and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi as the Acting Minister of Environment with the effect from tomorrow (16).