President Rajapaksa returns home ending a successful tour of Bolivia
while also being honoured with the highest Award which no other State leader had so far been feted with. Ending his tour of Bolivia which commenced on the 13th of this month, the President returned to the motherland from the Katunayake International Airport last night.
President Rajapaksa left the island on the 13th of this month to participate in the G 77 Golden Jubilee Summit and on arrival at the Viruviru International Airport, he was accorded a very warm welcome.
The President who joined in the G77 Golden Jubilee Commemoration Summit held in in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia delivered a special address. In his speech, the President emphasized that despite the burden of 27 years of terrorism, Sri Lanka has succeeded in leaving behind the indignity of poverty.
The G-77 is a group comprising developing countries holding United Nations membership. This conference heralded the inception of a group of 75 developing countries pledging to promote equality in the international economic and social order and promote the interests of the developing world. This was largely seen as an “initial step towards the international endorsement of a new trade policy for development”.
The President received the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions with many state leaders in parallel to the Summit and he was able to clarify to them Sri Lanka’s reality.
The President had bilateral talks with Cuban President Raul Castro. At this meeting the Cuban President said that they wished to work with leaders like President Rajapaksa. He assured Sri Lanka continuous support in the international arena. He also conveyed the warm greetings of the former Cuban President Fidel Castro to President Rajapaksa.
The talks President Rajapaksa had with his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales was of special significance. The talks were held in the Presidential Palace. While stating that his visit to Bolivia is a new beginning in diplomatic, economic and trade relations with South American nations, President Rajapaksa said establishing relationships with new nations is a part of the Government’s policy. Following the conclusion of bilateral talks, President Morales hosted a colorful ceremony with military honors for President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Palace.
The highlight of the President’s Bolivia tour was the presentation of the Special Award by the Legislative Assembly in the City of La Paz to President Rajapaksa. The award, which is the highest honor presented by the Plurinational State of Bolivia, recognizes contributions to peace and democracy. This is also the first time this award has been presented to a foreign Head of State.
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