In his letter to the President of Iran, Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President Rajapaksa said “I assure Your Excellency that the Government of Sri Lanka stands ready, to extend any support and assistance in the aftermath of this tragic event."

Full text of the message:

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Excellency,

It is with great shock and profound sadness that I learnt of the two earthquakes of high magnitude which struck Tabriz and Ahar yesterday causing the loss of valuable lives, displacement of persons and destruction to property.

While extending my personal heartfelt sympathies to Your Excellency, the Government and people of Sri Lanka join me in expressing our most sincere condolences and solidarity with the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in overcoming this difficult and challenging time. In this Holy Month of Ramadan, our prayers are with Your Excellency and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially members of the bereaved families, in facing the sadness resulting from this natural disaster.

I assure Your Excellency that the Government of Sri Lanka stands ready, to extend any support and assistance in the aftermath of this tragic event.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka