Iran willing to deepen ties with SL: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, describing relations between Iran and Sri Lanka as friendly and positive, said Tehran and Colombo were determined to promote their bilateral ties in all political, economic and cultural areas.

“The two governments are willing to develop inclusive relations and cooperation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to develop and strengthen comprehensive commercial, economic, scientific and cultural relations with Sri Lanka,” said President Rouhani while receiving the credentials of the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to Tehran on Saturday.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

President Rouhani received the letter of credence of the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Tehran, Sharif Anis, on Saturday and emphasised the need for efforts to develop, strengthen and mobilise Tehran-Colombo relations, the President’s Office said in a statement.

The President expressed hope that Iran and Sri Lanka would deepen relations and cooperation to the benefit of the two nations, with the efforts of the two countries, referring to the necessity of developing Iran-Sri Lanka banking relations in the direction of developing bilateral and economic relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Tehran, referring to the longstanding relations between Iran and Sri Lanka in various cultural, political, commercial and economic sectors, emphasised the need for efforts to develop and mobilise the two countries’ relations and cooperation.

Sri Lanka’s new ambassador also mentioned that the development of friendly relations with Iran was based on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, calling for an increase in the presence of Iranian investors and businesspeople in Sri Lanka’s investment projects.