President congratulates Dr. Manmohan Singh:

‘Our association will be strengthened following your reelection’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on being sworn in as Prime Minister for a second term said: “The Government and people of Sri Lanka join me in extending to you our sincere congratulations on your being sworn in once again as Prime Minister of India.

Having come to know you closely, I am indeed happy that our association will be strengthened in the years to come as a result of your re-election.

The decision of the people of India to entrust your Party and its alliance partners the responsibility of guiding the destiny of the nation for a further term with a decisive mandate, is a clear endorsement of the policies of the Government under your stewardship.

The people of Sri Lanka salute your distinct achievement in joining the late Shri Jawaharlal Nehru as one of the two Prime Ministers of India to go on to a consecutive second term, after the completion of a full five-year tenure.

The many achievements to the credit of your earlier administration include sustained and vibrant economic growth combined with social equity.

India has been contributing to further strengthening good neighbourly relations in South Asia while assuming in global deliberations the prominent role befitting her political and civilizational strengths.

India’s role in successfully and resolutely confronting the scourge of terrorism, one of the greatest challenges of our contemporary era, has been a source of strength to us.

Your Excellency’s re-assumption of office coincides with a decisive moment in the history of my country, when the people of Sri Lanka have overcome the long and dark night cast by terrorism over the nation.

The Government and people of Sri Lanka are committed to utilizing the opportunity created by the elimination of terror to forge renewed bonds of national amity in our multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society and for working together to achieve a political solution that will assure peace, dignity and honour for all Sri Lankans.

India and Sri Lanka have always had the warmest of relations. Sri Lanka’s recovery from the destruction wrought by terrorism will, I am confident, open up even more avenues for our two countries to further deepen and strengthen their bilateral cooperation. I look forward to working closely with Your Excellency, towards the achievement of this objective. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”