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Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (HB)

Kundapur, Aug 27: The keenly-awaited visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Kollur Shree Mookambika Temple on Sunday August 27 has been cancelled due to bad weather.

The Sri Lankan PM was supposed to visit the temple on Saturday August 26, but the trip was postponed to Sunday due to personal reasons.

He was supposed to land at Are Shiroor helipad at 11 am. Right from morning, the district authorities were at the venue ready to welcome the dignitary.

However, though Wickremesinghe arrived at Bengaluru, his aircraft could not take off from the capital city even after 12 noon due to weather conditions both in Bengaluru as well as coastal Karnataka. Rains have lashed the coast continuously for the past two days. Moreover, due to presence of heavy clouds along the route, the airport officials declined permission for take-off. 

Preparations for the high-profile visit have been going on in full swing for past four-five days. After landing at Shiroor, he was expected to proceed to Kollur temple to offer puja and take part in Chandika Homa rituals.

Security had been tightened around Shiroor and Kollur. Helipad in-charge Sneha Kulkarni along with Air Force squad of five officers were camped at Shiroor and had made all arrangements to receive the Sri Lankan PM. Traffic arrangements along the route too had been made. Fire engine, ambulance and other emergency services were also kept on standby.

Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary, SP Sanjeev Patil, DC Priyanka Mary Francis and other officials were at the helipad, along with two Sri Lankan officials, namely Lalith Nanayakkara and Wishwanath Aponsu of Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission.

DC Priyanka Francis told reporters that Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit may be rescheduled on another day if weather conditions improve. At present, he is in Bengaluru and is expected to tour the state, she said.