Red carpet welcome for Seychelles President

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Seychelles President James Alix Michel and his delegation were warmly welcomed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The Seychelles President arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday on a three day visit on President Rajapaksa's invitation. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the Seychelles.

The Seychelles President and the delegation were escorted to the Presidential Secretariat in a Military Police motorcade and Police Mounted Division. After being heralded by traditional dancers amidst the waving of national flags of the two countries by a group of young children clad in national dress and lama sari, he was welcomed and accompanied to the Saluting Dais on the red carpet. Thereafter, President Michel was accorded a Military Honour Guard on the lawn of the Presidential Secretariat. The Guard of Honour was followed by a 21 gun salute by the Army on the Galle Face Green. The national anthems of both countries were played by the Army Band, following a Presidential Salute accorded by the Army.

Thereafter, President Rajapaksa and his guest proceeded to the Presidential Secretariat for bilateral talks. After bilateral talks, they entered the main conference hall where both Seychelles and local delegations were present. President Rajapaksa and President Michel introduced the dignitaries to each other before the discussions.

After the discussion, both Presidents participated in the signing of three MoUs relating to health, education and training, employment of Sri Lankan manpower and labour cooperation on legal affairs.

The MoUs and agreements were signed by Ministers Prof G L Peiris, Bandula Gunawardena and Dilan Perera. Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam signed on behalf of the Seychelles government in the presence of the Heads of State. The Seychelles President also signed the visitors' book at the Presidential Secretariat. Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama, Ministers G L Peiris, Bandula Gunawardena, Priyankara Jayaratne, Parliamentarian Sachin Vas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and ministry Secretaries were also present .