Several world leaders have sent congratulatory messages to Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as the eighth Executive President of Sri Lanka and expressed their support to Sri Lanka. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, were amongst the first world leaders to congratulate the new President.
President of China, Xi Jinping in his message has said that China and Sri Lanka are traditional friendly neighbors to each other. “I believe that under the leadership of President Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka will surely overcome temporary difficulties and advance the process of economic and social recovery,” Xi Jinping has said.
The statement said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 65 years ago, the two countries have been advancing the development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, China and Sri Lanka have stood together and helped each other, which has elevated the traditional friendship. President Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and is willing to provide support and assistance within China’s capacity to President Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lankan people in their efforts. “I hope that the two sides will carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust and continuously push forward the strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship,” President of China Xi Jinping said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his well wishes to new President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Russia’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Yury Materiy called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (July 25) and conveyed congratulatory wishes of President Vladimir Putin to Wickremesinghe. The Russian President through his congratulatory message to President Wickremesinghe has highlighted that Russia looks forward to strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries under his leadership.
The Russian President has also expressed his interest in working with his Sri Lankan counterpart to strengthen regional stability and security. “The Russian-Sri Lankan relations are of a traditionally friendly nature. I am counting on your activities as Head of State to foster further development of constructive bilateral cooperation in various spheres for the benefit of our peoples and in the interest of strengthening regional stability and security,” President Putin said in his message.”I wish you every success as well as good health and prosperity”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as the eighth Executive President and expressed support to Sri Lanka. The congratulatory letter was dated July 25 and was released by President’s Media. The Indian Premier in his letter said “I extend my congratulations to you on your election as the eighth President of Sri Lanka. You have assumed the high office at a critical time for Sri Lanka. I hope your tenure will nurture economic stabilisation as well as fulfil the aspirations of all citizens of Sri Lanka. As a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India will continue to be supportive of the quest of the people of Sri Lanka for stability and economic recovery, through established democratic means, institutions and constitutional framework.”
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a congratulatory message on Monday (July 25), expressed her confidence that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s wealth of experience, wisdom and political acumen would be instrumental in bringing about the desired peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka. “On behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate you on your election in the Parliament as the President of Sri Lanka.
I wish you all success in your endeavours. This year, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are celebrating 50 years of solidarity and friendship, a friendship which is based on historic linkages, shared values and cultures, mutual respect and multitude of commonalities.
I have the conviction that relations between our two countries will be further strengthened in the coming days through multi-pronged sectoral cooperation for mutual benefit of our two peoples. I hope our relations of cooperation with the friendly people of Sri Lanka will continue. I look forward to working with you towards that end.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” Premier Hasina said in her letter.