Afghan President Hamid Karzai has told President Rajapaksa that in all his many international travels in the past several years, he has never had such a warm, colourful and friendly welcome, as he did in Sri Lanka today. He also said that no matter how the world community puts it, they know that peace in a country is the best guarantor of human rights and that war is the worst enemy of human rights.
Both leaders have further solidified bilateral ties inking four important agreements.
The Afghan President who arrived in the island from the Katunayake International Airport last evening on a two-day official tour met President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.
President Rajapaksa warmly greeted his Afghan counterpart near the Presidential Secretariat.
Thereafter, the President introduced the Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers and Senior Government officials to this special state guest.
Bilateral discussions between the two Presidents commenced thereafter.
The Afghan President told the Sri Lankan President that he wished to express his gratitude to the warm and attractive welcome accorded to him by the Sri Lankans since he stepped into the island. He said he had so far visited many countries. But he mentioned that it was only in Sri Lanka that he was given a very warm rousing and gorgeous welcome. Mr. Karzai pointed out to the President that Sri Lanka could be considered a country that is leading in Social Indices such as Health and Education within the South Asian region. He elaborated that the child mortality rate in Sri Lanka was similar to that of western nations. Hamid Karzai emphasized that the achievement of peace in the country was the main human rights achievement and that Sri Lanka has already achieved this feat. As such he declared that it is vital for all countries to extend support and cooperation to Sri Lanka.
Acknowledging the challenges Afghanistan is currently facing, President Rajapaksa praised President Karzai’s leadership. He said he admired the dynamic leader of Afghanistan at this critical juncture. The President particularly commended the efforts made by President Karzai to establish durable peace in Afghanistan and expressed optimism that the Afghan people would meet the on-going challenges successfully.
Thereafter four agreements important for many fields were inked in the presence of the two state leaders
The MOU between the two countries for Cooperation in training of the Afghanistan nurses in Sri Lanka was signed by Minister Maithripala Sirisena and Afghan Minister of Public Health Sorayia Dhalil.
The MOU on Cooperation in the field of Education was inked by Minister S.B. Dissanayake and the Afghan Minister of Education Obaidulla Obaid.
The Agreement between the Governments of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on the Employment of Sri Lankan Skilled and Professional Manpower in Afghanistan was signed by Minister Dilan Perera and the Afghan Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Amina Afzali.
The MOU in the field of Sports between the two countries was inked by Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Afghan Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Amina Afzali.
Several Parliamentarians and many senior officials were present on the occasion. The Afghan President also signed the visitor’s book at the Presidential Secretariat.
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