18.4.2008
The
first ever Asian tour of the President of the Islamic Republic
of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to start on the
April 28 with a two-day state visit to Sri Lanka upon a
special request from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
President Ahmadinejad choosing Sri Lanka as his first stop
in his first Asian tour is a victory gained by the Sri Lankan
President as a political leader in Asia, according to political
analysis.
President Ahamedinejad
and President Rajapaksa will be laying the foundation
stone for the Uma Oya Hydro Power project, on April 29
at Wellawaya.
Iran
has come forward to grant financial support amounting
to US dollars 450 million for this mega multipurpose hydro
power project. The Uma Oya is estimated to produce 100
MW electricity and supply water to irrigate the agricultural
and industrial sectors in Hambantota and Moneragala districts.