Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena becomes the temporary Head of State following both the President and the Prime Minister are out of the country.
Currently, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the countr for visit to attend UN General Assembly in New York, USA and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa is in Italy.
Accordingly, this is the first instance of such a scenario occurring during the term of the President.
The PM is expected to return to the country either tomorrow (19) or on Monday (20).
