Warm welcome to a close friend

A special correspondent

The President being warmly welcomed by Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Khaddafi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Colombo yesterday after attending the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Libyan revolution on an invitation extended by Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Khaddafi.

The celebrations were held in the Greens Square, Tripoli. It included a grand military parade in which a limited number of foreign troops, including that of Sri Lanka participated.

He was among a selected group of Heads of State and Government that attended the celebrations.

Sri Lanka- Libya relations have strengthened greatly after the assumption of office of President Rajapaksa who has developed a close friendship with the Libyan leader.

Among others who participated during the celebrations were Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Pakistani Prime Minister Saed Yousoof Gilani.

The President poses for a picture with Phillipino President Gloria Arroyo.

During the visit President Rajapaksa had cordial bilateral talks with Colonel Muammar Khaddafi and other Libyan leaders as well as with several visiting heads of State and Government. The distinguished foreign leaders showed a keen interest in Sri Lanka’s military victory over terrorism. For example, Philippines President Arroyo highly commended measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government under the leadership of President Rajapaksa to defeat LTTE terrorism.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa being greeted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Saed Yousoof Gilani.

She noted that the “Sri Lankan President has put an end to the traditionally accepted presumption that ‘terrorism cannot be defeated’ becoming an exemplary leader of a nation to the world”.

The Pakistani Prime Minister while complimenting Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism said the resettlement process being carried out in Sri Lanka provides a powerful example to all nations facing similar situations.

A special meeting of the African Union of which Colonel Khaddafi is the President was also held in Tripoli to coincide with the 40th anniversary celebrations.