President Rajapaksa holds talks with Iraq Vice President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Jordan to attend the World Economic Forum and the G-11 Summit met the Vice President of Iraq, Adi Abd Al Mahadi yesterday. The two leaders agreed to set up a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Iraq to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

They also discussed means to explore possibilities to increase the volume of Sri Lankan tea exports to Iraq. Following a proposal by the Sri Lankan President, the Iraqi Vice President agreed to extend the contracts of employment of Sri Lankan migrant workers employed in American firms in Iraq, due to lapse in 2009 and 2010.

This move will ensure the protection of employment of these workers.

President Rajapaksa expressed willingness to offer Sri Lanka’s technological expertise for utilisation in the Iraqi construction and rehabilitation sectors.