ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned the newly-elected President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday to felicitate him on his election as the 7th president of Sri Lanka.
Interestingly Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also made phone call to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and he has assured to travel to India on November 29 at the invitation of Indian prime minister while Prime Minister Imran Khan extended a cordial invitation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. It has been officially stated here that President Rajapaksa accepted the invitation. Indian prime minister dispatched his Minister for External Affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar on the first day of the president in office.
Prime Minister Imran said in his telephone talk that the election of President Rajapaksa reflected the trust reposed by the Sri Lankan people in the leadership and vision of President Rajapaksa. The prime minister hoped that the country and its people would achieve greater success and prosperity under President Gotabaya’s stewardship. The excellent Pakistan-Sri Lanka bilateral relations were also discussed. The two leaders reciprocated each other’s desire to further fortify bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.
Jaishankar made the announcement after meeting Rajapaksa, who was sworn in as the country’s new president on Monday. Jaishankar, who arrived in Colombo on a two-day unannounced visit, said President Rajapaksa has accepted Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to visit India on November 29.
The Lankan leader thanked the prime minister for his good wishes and expressed his readiness to work with India very closely to ensure development and security, the prime minister’s Office said.
