MR invites Ban to visit Lanka

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had invited UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon to Sri Lanka when he met Ban on the sidelines of UNGA sessions today, the Information Department said.

President Rajapaksa and Ban Ki-moon met for talks at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City today.

Congratulating President Rajapaksa on his leadership, Mr. Ban acknowledged the progress that had  been made in Sri Lanka in the years after the war and expressed his optimism that the remaining challenges would also be overcome with this type of political leadership, a media communiqué said.

President Rajapaksa outlined the developments that have taken place, including the near-completion of all de-mining activities, the improvement of health services, and the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants, among others achievements.

The President also informed the Secretary-General of the rehabilitation of schools that the Government had undertaken in the war-affected areas.
Sec-Gen Ban also underscored the need for wider political consultation for a successful political process. In this regard, he noted that all political parties must engage.

President Rajapaksa invited Mr. Ban to make another visit to Sri Lanka to assess the development since his last visit.

Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Dr. Palitha Kohona and the Deputy Permanent Representative Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva were also present. (GDI)