Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday congratulated Senator Barack Obama, the President-elect of the United States of America. In his congratulatory message Minister Bogollagama stated that “ Sri Lanka hopes that our close and cordial relations with the United States of America will be further strengthened” and “We are confident of your support for our efforts to forge a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka through the pursuit of democracy and countering terrorism”

Excellency,

It gives me great pleasure to convey my warmest congratulations on your historic win of the Presidency of the United States of America.

Your campaign, from its inception, captured the imagination of people around the world. I have keenly followed with admiration how you resolutely steered the campaign on a steady course in the midst of many challenges in its path. Your success is a testament to your leadership and vision as well as to the indomitable spirit and idealism of the people of the United States of America. This decisive win has brought about a major transformation of the political landscape of the nation. The United States of America under your leadership will no doubt rise to meet the aspirations of its civilians as well as the expectations of the world community.

Sri Lanka hopes that our close and cordial relations with the United States of America will be further strengthened during your Administration. We appreciate U.S. efforts to curb terrorism globally, from which Sri Lanka has also benefited. We are confident of your support for our efforts to forge a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka through the pursuit of democracy and countering terrorism.

Please accept my best wishes for your health, happiness and success.

Rohitha Bogollagama, M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs

November, 5, 2008