"We are extremely happy to learn that you have given a complete sense of freedom to the people of the Eastern Province. We congratulate and salute you for achieving this great victory," said His Eminence Ayathullah Sheikh Muhammed Ali Al-Tashkiri, President of the World Forum for Proximity among Islamic Schools of Thought, when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at Temple Trees today (July 16).

The Special Representative of the Ayathullah Seyed Ali Khameini, the Spiritual Leader of Iran, said the people of Iran shared the thoughts of the President of Sri Lanka on eliminating terrorism. "Terrorism is terrorism, and it has to be eliminated completely from everywhere", the Ayathullah said. 

He called for closer understanding between Iran and Sri Lanka and the sharing of knowledge and advances in the fields of economic development, and the social, educational and cultural spheres. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Iran religious delegation that he has embarked on a massive development programme in the Eastern Province with the participation of the government and private sectors. He called upon Iran to invest in such development programmes.   

"Iran has a great regard for your wise and able leadership, we like your people and your beautiful country very much. We will take your message to
our leaders and help you in future in whatever field of development possible," Al-Tashriki said.