Sri Lanka and Iran's fast growing relationship

Azuwar MOHIDEEN - Colombo Additional District Group Corr.

Sri Lanka admires the achievement of Iran and its steady economic development despite the difficulties it encountered as Sri Lanka too has been able to defeat the most dangerous terrorists of the world and is moving forward with significant economic development, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Felix Perera said recently at the Iranian National Day function.

The minister further said that the relationship between Sri Lanka and Iran date back to many centuries and ties had further strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations his between the two nations. Sri Lanka and Iran are closely cooperating in the energy sector too and the country stands to benefit from Iran's vast experience in this field in the years to come, he said.

Commenting on the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Iran in November 2007 and the reciprocal visit of President Mahmoud Ahamadinijad to Sri Lanka in April last year, the minister added that the two landmark visits paved the way to strengthen the bonds between the two countries in many spheres that included the signing of a number of important agreements and MOUs on several development projects such as the Uma Oya multipurpose development project and the agreement on oil refinery project in Sapugaskanda which Iran had agreed to finance.

The Ambassador of Iran Mahmoud Rahimi Gorji in his speech referred to the achievements of his country in the economic, scientific and technical spheres in the past three decades resisting and overcoming all foreign inspired threats. The first ever home-made satellite that was launched by Iran recently was itself a testimony to the great scientific and technical advancement made by Iran, the Ambassador said.

Touching upon the state of existing relations between Iran and Sri Lanka Gorji said that the bilateral ties had greatly enhanced in recent times and the traditional relationship had become much more firmer with the visit to Sri Lanka by the Iranian President last year.

The Ambassador expressed the hope that the cordial relations that prevailed at present between the two nations would continue to expand in the years ahead.