Palestinian President to arrive on a State Visit to Sri Lanka
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- Published on Tuesday, 10 April 2012 11:12
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President of Palestine Dr. Mahmoud Abbas will arrive in Sri Lanka on a three-day state visit on April 15th. This is the first time a Palestinian President is visiting Sri Lanka.
Bilateral talks will be held during the visit to further strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries. The Palestinian President is also scheduled to hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris.
During the visit, Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Riad N.A. Malki and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris will hold bilateral discussions.
Sri Lanka has very cordial relations with Palestine and President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President of the Sri Lanka Palestinian Friendship Association from its inception until he assumed the post of Prime Minister. President Rajapaksa was also among the world leaders who attended the funeral of the former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
Sri Lanka also granted a 40,000 U.S.Dollars aid package to Palestine last year.
In recognition of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s long standing service to the Palestinian people, Palestine has named one of its main highways as Mahinda Rajapaksa highway. (niz)
