President Mahinda Rajapakse will be in London at the conclusion of his official visit to Japan from December 9 to 11 to be present at the passing out parade of his son, Yoshitha, who has concluded a year’s training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and be back in Colombo for the third reading vote on the budget on Dec. 14.

The passing out parade, which will be also attended by the navy commander, Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, is scheduled for Thursday, December 13.

Yoshitha Rajapakse will be one of 47 officers completing their training course at the famous British naval academy.

SF adds: There was speculation within defence circles that Rajapaksa Jnr. will follow a further International Midshipman’s Course also at Dartmouth but this was unconfirmed.

The young officer will be promoted to the rank of midshipman on the completion of his course, according to defence sources. After this training he is eligible to be commissioned as an acting sub-lieutenant in the SLN.

The navy commander, is due to meet Britain’s First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band during his UK visit which was described as ``official.’’

Well informed sources said that the authorities were keen on Rajapaksa receiving further training at Dartmouth, one of the world’s best known naval academies where a training slot was described as the ``dream of any young navy officer.’’