PRESIDENT WARMLY WELCOMED IN IRAN

President warmly welcomed in Iran

President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a two-day State visit to Iran met its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Teheran yesterday, and was warmly welcomed on his arrival at the supreme leader’s palace.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stressed the importance of enhancing the strong and long- standing bilateral ties between the two countries, while further enhancing diplomatic relations as well as the friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries.

He said both countries were located in geographically strategic areas and that the importance of maximum utilization of the capabilities of both the countries had to be taken advantage of.

At the meeting, the Supreme Leader said he had always preferred Sri Lankan tea and after his discussions with President Sirisena he learned of similar views held by the people of both countries.

The Iranian Supreme Leader stressed the need for Iran and Sri Lanka to forge ahead as sister states and emphasized the importance of actively implementing the Mous signed on Sunday between the countries.

The President said he appreciated the service done by the Spiritual Leader and pointed out that Sri Lankan society based on Buddhist philosophy believed that various societal ills could be healed through religious philosophies.

He lauded Iran’s technological advancement and said it would be of value to the future development of Sri Lanka and thanked the Supreme Leader for inviting him and for the welcome and hospitality extended to him.

Meanwhile, the President also met a group of Sri Lankans living in Tehran and explained the current situation in Sri Lanka.