President Rajapaksa returned

(September 03, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to the island today (03rd September) after completing an official visit to Libya. The President was on a two day visit to the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on an invitation extended by Libyan Leader Col. Muammar AL Gathafi to attend the 40th Anniversary of the Great September Revolution of Libya. There were number of African and other Heads of State/Government attending these celebrations.

The President was accompanied by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and few other officials. The Libyan Leader reassured his support and commitment to advance Sri Lanka-Libya relations, in particular, in the areas of infrastructure development and employment opportunities.

In response to a request by the Libyan Government, Sri Lanka also dispatched a 40- member contingent of troops to participate in the military parade which was held on 01st of September in Tripoli. Several other countries had also sent similar contingents for this parade.

The attendance in these celebrations provided an useful opportunity for President Rajapaksa to interact with number of African leaders and to renew Sri Lanka’s friendship and solidarity with African states.

The President also made use of the opportunity to have bilateral meetings with President of Republic of the Philippines Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of Venezuela Mr. Hugo Ch’avez Frias and Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

In the talks with the Philippines President, the two leaders exchanged views on wide range of matters including counter terrorism. The Philippines President, having congratulated President Rajapaksa for his bold move to confront a terrorist group, inquired as to how Sri Lanka achieved such a decisive military victory over a terrorist group such as the LTTE. The two leaders agreed to cooperate on counter terrorism measures, air links, foreign direct investment etc. In the meeting with the Venezuelan President Hugo Ch’avez, the two leaders agreed to work together on number of areas including petroleum refinery and related products. The Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama will meet his Venezuelan Counterpart soon in New York to identify specific areas of cooperation between the two countries. Calling on President Rajapaksa, Pakistani Prime Minister Mr. Syed Gilani assured Pakistan’s continued cooperation in dealing with terrorism and also expressed Pakistan’s willingness to further expand relations in other areas such as education, culture, air links and IT. The Pakistani leader expressed keen interest to share Sri Lanka’s experience in launching Rural Tele Centres which is known as ‘Nenasala’ Programme initiated by President Rajapaksa.

-Sri Lanka Guardian