His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa received a group of visiting Sri Lankan –American community leaders at Temple Trees, Colombo on Tuesday, March 26th , 2013.
During the meeting the President stated that the he expects the unstinted support from all Sri Lankans living abroad to overcome the challenges before the nation.
The group comprising prominent Sri Lankan academics, business leaders and professionals in the United States thanked the President for leading the way toward a rapid development in the country after ending thirty years of terrorism. They further expressed appreciation for the country’s ability to retain its cultural identity, notwithstanding the fast-paced development projects being accomplished under the President’s visionary leadership.
The group led by Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya , Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States ,landed in Sri Lanka on the first international flight to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport ceremonial opening on May 18th.The tour was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC as part of its dynamic country promotion program. Over 100 travelers including Sri Lankan American community leaders , business leaders, US investors, academics, travel writers and media personnel from 30 major cities of the United States joined the special flight at their own cost to witness the historic inauguration of Sri Lanka’s second International Airport.
President Rajapaksa further noted that Sri Lanka needs not only the support of the expatriate community but also of the diaspora community to overcome the anti-Sri Lankan forces in the international arena. He emphasized that their involvement in investment projects and business developments are vital for the country’s progress.
Sri Lankan cabinet ministers, Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, Hon. Dullas Alahapperuma , Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Western Provincial Council Minister Hon. Udaya Gammanpila, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga and Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya were also present at the meeting.
