Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Namal Rajapaksa has expressed shock over the reported assassination of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in air strikes, describing him as a close friend of Sri Lanka.
In a statement, Rajapaksa said he was “shocked to hear” of Ahmadinejad’s assassination and recalled the former Iranian leader’s role in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
He noted that Ahmadinejad had been instrumental in launching several key development projects in Sri Lanka, including the upgrading of the Sapugaskande Oil Refinery and the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project, during his visit to the island in 2008 at the invitation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Rajapaksa said Iran has always been a true friend of Sri Lanka and conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of all those reportedly killed in the air strikes.
“We stand with the people of Iran at this hour of need and call on all parties to exercise restraint and pursue discussions rather than choosing a path of war,” he said. (Newswire)