President Rajapaksa said that the two countries have been working very closely together and supporting each other and that Sri Lanka is keen on further strengthening ties, especially in the area of trade. The President said Sri Lanka would like to explore “all avenues of enhancing bilateral trade of goods and services.”

President Rouhani said Iran too is interested in enhancing the bilateral relations. Recalling the meeting between the two leaders in New York City during last year’s U.N. General Assembly, President Rouhani said he was happy to have the opportunity to meet President Rajapaksa again.

“We also would like to development economic relations between our two countries,” President Rouhani said.

President Rajapaksa also thanked Iran for the assistance it has extended to Sri Lanka in a variety of projects.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Chief of Staff Mr. Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in China Mr. Ranjith Uyangoda were also present at the discussion.

HC/NP_PS&IMU_Pix by Sudath Silva