Sri Lanka President holds bilateral discussions with world leaders at the UN summit

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is attending the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly is to hold several bilateral discussions with other Heads of States.

President Rajapaksa engaged in these bilateral discussions with leaders of friendly nations on the side lines of the special UN Summit on Millennium Development Goals convened by the UN Secretary General.
The President met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in New York yesterday (20) and had discussions with him on the current developments in Sri Lanka.
The Emir of Qatar has responded positively to a request by President Rajapaksa for Qatar to supply Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) to Sri Lanka for development needs, the government media unit said today.
During the discussions the Emir has agreed to help in the development of Tourism in Sri Lanka, with increased visitors and investment in the industry and to assist in the further development of the Sri Lankan National Career, SriLankan Airlines.
Both leaders reaching a close understanding on mutual cooperation between the two countries have agreed to improve the bilateral relations between them.
Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva and John Seneviratne, and parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa also participated in the s=discussions with the Emir.
President Rajapaksa also met the Chancellor of Germany, Ms. Angela Merkel at a reception hosted by her in New York yesterday.
The President is expected to meet several other leaders today on the sidelines of the high level plenary meeting on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), commenced yesterday at the UN Headquarters.
He is to apprise them of the post conflict development and peace situation in the country seeking support for the development projects.
Sri Lanka has accorded highest priority to obtain Foreign Direct Investment to boost its economy in the country in addition to its all out efforts to promote economy by way of enhanced productivity in the fields of fishery, agriculture and the tourism sectors, the government has said.
(Photos by Sudath Silva)