Three ministers and two opposition MPs are included in the Lankan delegation led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend the COP 28 World Leaders’ Summit in Dubai.The delegation left the country on Thursday.

Representing Sri Lanka are Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Opposition MPs Patali Champika Ranawaka and Ajith Mannapperuma, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Ruwan Wijayawardena and Presidential Foreign Affairs Director Dinuk Colobmage.

President Wickremesinghe will submit three special proposals this year for the International Conference on Climate Change or “COP 28”. They are to create a climate university in Sri Lanka, to establish a climate justice forum for Third World countries hurt by the activities of developed countries, and to establish a forum for tropical rain forests.

The COP 28 conference is being held in Dubai from Dec 4 with the participation of the leaders of 54 states and there are plans to hold several additional discussions about climate change and debt stabilization.

Under the sponsorship of non-governmental organizations, 20 young people will participate and figure in additional discussions. Fifteen private sector stakeholders will also participate at their own expense, official sources said.