Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry will lead a high-level delegation representing Sri Lanka to attend the state funeral of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry announced that the delegation will depart tonight to attend the funeral scheduled for Wednesday, May 22.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning honouring Raisi, Amirabdollahian, and six others who perished in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran on Sunday.

Thousands of mourners gathered for the initial funeral procession on Tuesday in Tabriz, the closest major city to the crash site.

Sri Lanka too observed a national day of mourning on Tuesday with the Public Administration Ministry instructing all state-institutions to fly the national flag at half mast.

Iran has been a long term trade and development partner of Sri Lanka, with Sri Lanka recently inking five bilateral agreements during late President Raisi’s visit to the island. Raisi visited Sri Lanka on April 24 for a one-day official trip to launch the Uma Oya dam amid tight security. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka delegation to attend State Funeral of Iranian President appeared first on Newswire.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa expressed his condolences on the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Issuing a statement, the Opposition Leader said that President Raisi’s untimely passing represents a tremendous moment not just for the people of Iran but for the entire region.

“Iran has lost a true statesman. While the people of Iran have endured much in their long and illustrious history, the loss of His Excellency the President will require steadfast leadership from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I have no doubt he shall provide the necessary guidance for a country and people in mourning,” Premadasa said.

The Opposition Leader also noted of President Raisi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, stating that the people of Sri Lanka were able to experience the warmth and presence of the late President.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, colleagues, and the people of Iran during this period of immense grief and sorrow. May the people of Iran find solace in his enduring legacy, which leaves an indelible mark on the history of the people of Persia,” Premadasa said. (Newswire)

The post Opposition Leader pays tribute to late Iranian President appeared first on Newswire.