President calls on Iran to join Govt’s efforts to develop East

Following the liberation and comprehensive victory in the East over the LTTE, President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on Iran to join his Government’s efforts of developing it.

President Rajapaksa made this request to the President of the ‘World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thoughts’ His Emminence Ayathullah Sheikh Muhammed Ali Al, when he met him at Temple Trees last Monday.

Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Ali Al Taskhiri sought closer understanding between Iran and Sri Lanka in the advances they have made in the field of economic development, social, educational and cultural spheres.

President Rajapaksa conveyed to the religious delegation that his Government had embarked on a massive development programme in the Eastern Province, with the participation of both the Government and the private sectors. He called upon the Iranian government to invest in those development projects.

“If I have oil like you, I can achieve great success in all spheres in the lives of our people”, President Rajapaksa added.

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http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/19/news20.asp