President Anurad Kumara Dissanayake’s return to Sri Lanka on a private jet on May 6 has sparked debate in Parliament, with opposition MPs demanding clarification on who funded the trip.
SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna asked Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath whether the Vietnamese government had covered the costs.
In response, Minister Herath clarified that the return flight was funded by the UN-affiliated Vietnam Buddhist Association, not the Vietnamese government itself.
He explained that President Dissanayake had initially refused to attend the UN Vesak Day as the guest of honour, citing his need to return to Sri Lanka to vote. “However, after the Buddhist Association provided him with the itinerary, he agreed to attend,” the minister said.
Minister Herath assured Parliament that no Sri Lankan public funds were used for the trip. He also noted that the trip was coordinated by the Vietnamese government and arranged through the Vietnam Buddhist Committee under the UN, despite previous reports suggesting the Vietnamese government was involved.
President Dissanayake returned to Colombo on an Embraer Legacy 600 medium-range business jet.
