President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid his respect to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez this morning by signing the book of condolence opened at the Cuban Embassy in Colombo.

“The fact that Venezuelans openly weep and mourn his death shows his visceral links with his people,” President Rajapaksa wrote.

President Rajapaksa also recalled the several occasions that he met the late President as “very fruitful and forward-looking” discussions.

“These meetings with the late President were always quite lively and assured Sri Lanka that there was a sincere friend in Latin America,” President Rajapaksa wrote. “I am grateful for the support he extended to our fight against terrorism, and Venezuela’s assistance to Sri Lanka in world forums must be acknowledged.”