President returns after successful Middle East visit

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the official delegation who went to Jordan to attend the World Economic Forum and G-11 Summit returned to the country last night.

President and the delegation arrived in the island by a special Mihin Lanka aircraft around 8.00pm last night.

President and the delegation was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sabaragamuwa Province Governor Regie Ranatunga, Fisheries Minister Felix Perera, Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Port and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, a Media release issued by the Presidential Secretariat said.

The five days official visit by President Rajapaksa to Jordan and Kuwait has helped to achieve many benefits to Sri Lanka.

It has also helped Sri Lanka to reach several bilateral agreements.

As one of the special feature of President’s visit, the Middle East investors have pledged to make their investments in Sri Lanka relating to several key areas such as garment, oil storage, construction and road development sectors.

President could also reach an agreement with Kuwait Government to repatriate some Sri Lankans who have been imprisoned in Kuwait due to various offenses and violation of their service conditions.

During his visit, President also met and held discussions with businessmen and investors in Jordan and Kuwait. This has helped to take a series of measures which are beneficial to Sri Lankan industrial sector.