President Rajapaksa meets Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khumenei and Iranian leaders
Posted on May 17th, 2010
By Janaka Alahapperuma
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is currently in Teheran to participate in the G15 Conference has met Islamic Supreme Leader of Iran Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hoseyni Khumenei last evening at the Revolutionary LeaderƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s residence.
The Iranian Supreme leader wished the Sri Lankan President for his achievements and requested to carry forward continuously the speedy development process now taking place in Sri Lanka.
Pix by: Sudath Silva
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ President Rajapaksa arrived in Teheran on Sunday to attend the Summit which is scheduled to begin at the International Islamic Conference Hall in the Iranian Capital on Monday 17th May.
Minister of External Affairs Prof G.L.Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe, MP Sajin Vas Gunawardena and Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Ambassador to Iran M.M.Zuhair were present.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa held a series of talks with the Iranian leaders in Teheran on Sunday evening ahead of the G15 Summit which will convene on 17th May with the head of states from 18 countries.
He was warmly welcomed by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at President Palace. Both leaders held a discussion to strengthen bilateral relations and agreed to boost mutual cooperation. Iran also pledged to make earnest efforts to ensure progress within the G15 as Sri Lanka assumes the groupƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Presidency.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ President Ahmadinejad also extended his congratulations to the Sri Lankan President for receiving the Chairmanship of the 14th G15 Summit in Teheran. Presently it is chaired by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamedinejad.
The G15 was established 20 years ago from developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to enhance the economic, political and multilateral trade activities among the members and also to provide input for other international groups.
Minister of External Affairs Prof G.L.Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe, newly elected MP Sajin Vas Gunawardena and Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Ambassador to Iran M.M.Zuhair were present.