Iranian President Meets Sri Lankan Counterpart

TEHRAN (FNA)- Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the 63rd UN General Assembly sessions in New York on Thursday, where he praised Iran for helping Sri Lanka solve its energy crisis.

During the meeting, the two sides held extensive discussions regarding the Iranian funded Uma Oya Irrigation Scheme and the upgrading of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery.

Rajapkasa also elaborated on the advances made in the agricultural sector and told his Iranian counterpart that under no circumstances would his government curtail the vast benefits granted to those who were engaged in cultivation.

The Iranian President agreed with Rajapaksa that agriculture is very important for the progress of a country.

He also praised the Sri Lankan President for the successful conduct of the recently concluded SAARC Summit and invited Rajapaksa to visit Iran.