The visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, November 27.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader referred to the history of relations between Iran and Sri Lanka and underlined the need for further expansion of economic and political and cultural ties between the two countries.
"The Asian continent has ample potential for the expansion of cooperation among Asian countries, but this potential has not received due attention yet, and it is necessary for the regional countries to take effective steps in this direction," the Leader told the Sri Lankan president.
Ayatollah Khamenei further praised the Sri Lankan government for its active policy on extending assistance to Sri Lankan Muslims. "Fortunately, today, the officials of the Sri Lankan government are treating Sri Lankan Muslims in an appropriate manner, and we are grateful for this attitude," he observed.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic also referred to the positive measure taken by the Sri Lankan government to support the Palestinian people.
"The camp supporting the Zionists has taken numerous measures to trample on the rights of the Palestinian people, and the holding of Annapolis conference is among such measures. But the broad-minded people in the world and those with a clear conscience are siding with and supporting the Palestinian people," the Leader pointed out.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, also speaking at the meeting, described the negotiations between the two countries and the agreements reached as successful. He said that Iran and Sri Lanka enjoy longtime relations, and that the two countries have so far cooperated in carrying out various projects.
The Sri Lankan president further referred to the menace of terrorism that was faced by Sri Lanka over the past years.
"The terrorists were trying to divide the country into two parts. But we managed to eliminate them from the eastern part of the country, and now we are making every effort to bring about development and prosperity in different parts of the country," he told the Leader.
President Mahinda Rajapakse also said that a committee for solidarity with the Palestinian nation has been established in Sri Lanka.
"While we condemn the aggressive acts of the Zionists, we support the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian government," the Sri Lankan president remarked.