President Mahinda Rajapaksa has officially handed over Sri Lanka’s US$ 1 million (one million US Dollar) donation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York yesterday and the handing over of the donation took place in that meeting.
Palestinian President Abbas extended a warm welcome to his Sri Lankan counterpart and expressed his gratitude to Sri Lankan President for directing more attention on Palestine during his address to the UN sessions. Palestinian leader also commended President Rajapaksa's continuous support to his country at the discussion. While enlightening the current situation of the Gaza Strip of Palestine president Abbas, also explained his Sri Lankan counterpart on the challenges faced by the people living in the area. After assuming duties in office in 2005 President Rajapaksa has addressed the General Assembly of United Nations on six occasions and expressed his views on behalf of Palestine at every time. In last January, President Rajapaksa made his first visit to Palestine on his tour of the region that also included Jordan and Israel. During that visit and the Government of Palestine conferred President Rajapaksa with the “Star of Palestine” which is the highest honour of the State of Palestine.
After delivering his address at the 69th Sessions of the UN General Assembly the President held discussions enhancing bilateral ties with several state leaders including Nepal, Colombia, Malta, Qatar and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma. President Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.
After delivering his address at the 69th Sessions of the UN General Assembly the President held discussions enhancing bilateral ties with several state leaders including Nepal, Colombia, Malta, Qatar and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma. President Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.
Pix by Sudath Silva
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