Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

• Marks the first visit of an Iranian President to Sri Lanka since former President Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008
• President Raisi will participate in a public ceremony marking the inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) scheduled for this morning 

By Kelum Bandara
Sri Lanka withstood pressure from some quarters of the Western world and proceeded with the visit of Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi.  
He will arrive in the country today in response to a special invitation extended by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking the first visit of an Iranian President to Sri Lanka since former President Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in April 2008.   
 During his one-day official visit, President Raisi will participate in a public ceremony marking the inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) scheduled for today morning .   

A highlight of President Raisi’s visit will be the signing of five memorandums of understanding (MoUs), aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between Iran and Sri Lanka, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).  
An informed source said Sri Lanka came under pressure from the Western powers but decided to entertain the visit by clarifying the matter.