26.9.2008

President Mahinda Rajapaksa meeting Turkish President Abdullah Gul on the sidelines of the 63rd Sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Picture by Sudath Silva
The President of Turkey H.E Abdullah Gul, while applauding the humanitarian assistance operations initiated by the Sri Lankan government in the North for internally displaced, also praised its determination to eliminate terrorism, which was described as "an example to other countries that are also battered by terrorism".
He made these views during a meeting held with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Thursday (Sep 25) at the UN Headquarters in New York. The two leaders also discussed issues such as promotion of tourism and increasing flight operations between the two countries.
"As much as Sri Lanka, Turkey too was facing a separatist terrorist problem. Turkey too had a long experience about the acts of terrorists and the humanitarian operations carried out by the Sri Lanka Government led by President Rajapaksa was a great example to the whole world", the Turkish President was quoted further saying.
President Rajapaksa also extended his gratitude for the support given by the government of Turkey during the tsunami catastrophe, Presidential Media Unit sources said.