President meets Iranian Supreme Leader

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a two-day state visit to Iran met with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Teheran yesterday (May 13). President Sirisena was warmly received by the Supreme Leader of Iran upon his arrival. According to the President's Media Division, the Supreme Leader pointed out the importance of taking forward the strong, long-standing bilateral ties between the two countries. The Supreme Leader had also stated he always favoured Sri Lankan tea. The Iranian Supreme Leader had stressed the need for Iran and Sri Lanka to forge ahead as brother states and emphasized the importance of actively implementing the new MoUs signed yesterday. President Sirisena who commended the technological advancement of Iran said this experience will be of value to the future development of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, a group of Sri Lankan's living in Tehran met President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (May 13). President Sirisena explained the current status of Sri Lanka and engaged in a cordial discussion with them as well.