“Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the hearts of all Sri Lankans on this very short visit. What took Sri Lankans by surprise is that they had never seen a head of state like him before in all their lives. They surmised that he is very modest and humble, that simplicity is the hall mark of his character. Just like the Iranian people, Sri Lankans took a natural liking to him. His quiet charisma was irresistible.”________________________
by Saybhan Samat
(May 03, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Iranian president arrived on the evening of 28th April and left on the 29th afternoon, he was in the island for less than 24 hours. In that time, he addressed religious leaders of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim clergy at the banquet hall of the Galadari Hotel in Colombo which was filled to capacity with other invitees too and later in the morning laid the foundation stone and unveiled a plaque at the Sapugaskande Oil refinery. He was not able to lay the foundation stone at Uma-Oya due to bad weather conditions that was not conducive for a helicopter flight. On his arrival, President Rajapaksa gave him a royal welcome and the Sri Lankan Navy accorded him a smart guard of honour.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the hearts of all Sri Lankans on this very short visit. What took Sri Lankans by surprise is that they had never seen a head of state like him before in all their lives. They surmised that he is very modest and humble, that simplicity is the hall mark of his character. Just like the Iranian people, Sri Lankans took a natural liking to him. His quiet charisma was irresistible. They knew that he was a genuine fruit of Imam Khomeini’s Islamic revolution with impeccable revolutionary credentials. They also observed that what distinguishes Ahmadinejad was his life style, his down to earth demeanour, his record of selflessness in the service he has rendered to the people of Iran.
It was magic to meet the man, anyone will take an instant liking to him! One can attribute this feeling in oneself because of the purity of his heart. He would certainly have practiced the Islamic sciences and disciplines associated with the purification of the heart called ‘Irfan’.
The speech he delivered addressing the clergy of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic faiths, was amazing. He said "Iran always desired Sri Lanka’s progress and honour."
"I am sure that people and religious leaders of this beautiful country will render a great service to humanity by working together in peace and brotherhood and I thank God for it," he said.
The Iranian president remarked that a very friendly atmosphere prevailed during his visit. "God created man to enable him to identify God and be humble before Him. By doing this God has elevated man to a high pedestal".
"Therefore man should live happily in unity and mutual co-operation with others during his short life span," he said.
The Iranian president who emphasised the need to abhor hatred, enmity and jealousy, promote mutual love and respect and shelve injustice and aggressiveness, said that these are basic tenets of all religions.
He said Sri Lankans are compassionate people and they commanded the honour, respect and friendship of the Iranian people. He added that the Iranian people desired close co-operation with the people of Sri Lanka and he wished Sri Lanka a bright future.
Ahmadinejad also added that unity among all religious leaders would enable them to overcome any threat or force and invited them to tour Iran in the near future.
This speech had an electrifying effect on the audience. When the speech was over there was resounding applause. When the meeting concluded, the audience together with all the clergy rushed to the stage to congratulate President Ahmadinejad and wish him. It was indeed very difficult for Ahmadinejad to get back to his room in the hotel as hundreds of well wishers thronged around him to shake his hand and even embrace and kiss him.
The sincere feelings expressed by President Ahmadinejad for the people of Sri Lanka indeed is like torrents of rain after an oppressive drought. When the US and the European allies have for a long time pressurised Sri Lanka with charges of human rights, abuse and covertly threatened to withdraw the GSP + facility, and even issued veiled threats of R2P, the goodwill of Ahmadinejad’s offer of help to develop Sapugaskande and Uma-Oya with more to follow, was something that gladdened every Sri Lankan’s heart.
There is now hope for a better tomorrow in this strife torn island which for almost three decades has suffered immensely. President Ahmadinejad was surely a welcome breath of fresh air…
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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