President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Singapore, S R Nathan as well as the Rt. Hon. the Lord Naseby PC, Member of the House of Lords and the Chairman of the British Sri Lanka All Party Parliamentary Group, have sent messages of congratulations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his re-election as President.

I hope that we can continue to work together towards strengthening the ties that bind our countries, particularly at this auspicious moment, when, with great satisfaction, we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Sri Lanka, stated the President of Brazil in his message.

This victory demonstrates the confident that the people of Sri Lanka have in your leadership. I am confident that, in your next term, you will be able to focus on national reconciliation, build social cohesion among the various ethnic groups and ensure that Sri Lanka return to a high growth trajectory, stated President Nathan in his message.

The message further said, “Sri Lanka and Singapore enjoy excellent relations. I look forward to continue working closely with you to strengthen the relationship between our two countries”.

The Rt. Hon. the Lord Naseby PC, said in his message, “I realised when I first met you on your Election as President that you were a measured man of vision and yet had the determination to overcome challenges”.

It was thanks to your vision, tenacity and steadfastness that the Tigers were challenged in the first place and eventually defeated. Sadly too few people in the West understand the suffering caused by the Tigers. You offered them so many opportunities to surrender but all were rebuffed. War is a nasty business but if the loosing side will not surrender then it has to be seen through to its end, the Rt. Hon. the Lord Naseby PC continued.

I am delighted you were elected with such an overwhelming majority; it gives you a clear mandate for the next six years. I hope too your success will be reflected in the General Election in April, hopefully giving you the 2/3rds majority to amend the Constitution in a way that will assist some devolution. I say some as the UK has gone too far and no one can risk Eelam by the back door, he further sated.

Unlike the British media, our Group recognises the challenges Sri Lanka has faced over the last 25 years and most of our members supportive of your campaign to see the Tamil Tigers defeated, he said in his statement as Chairman of the British Sri Lanka All Party Parliamentary Group.

You have achieved peace within a unitary country; a major achievement, he said.