President Mahinda Rajapaksa was hopeful New Zealand, that secured a seat at the United Nations Security Council, would be able to make a valuable contribution at the Security Council with its commitment to representing small and medium countries.

President Rajapaksa expressed these views when he met New Zealand’s Minister of Primary Industries and Racing Mr. Nathan Guy at Temple Trees today.

Mr. Nathan Guy thanked Sri Lanka for supporting New Zealand in its bid to secure a seat at the United Nations Security Council.

New Zealand was elected one of five non-permanent members of the Security Council, for a two-year term starting January 2015, following a vote in the General Assembly in October of this year.

Mr. Nathan Guy offered support to Sri Lanka for relief efforts, on behalf of his Government, following the landslide in Koslanda last week.

“We offer our condolences for the landslides. We stand ready and able to assist if you need some assistance from New Zealand,” Mr. Guy said.

Mr. Guy officially invited President Rajapaksa to attend the Cricket World Cup, which New Zealand is co-hosting with Australia in February 2015 and encouraged the President to attend the opening game against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place in Christchurch.

“We would love you to come down to New Zealand,” Mr. Guy said. “It will make the cricket tournament very special,” he added, noting that such a visit would make it the first time a Sri Lankan head of state will visit New Zealand.