Iranian assistance hailed

When the Sunday Observer interviewed people for their views about the official visit of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Sri Lanka, an ex. engineer of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery Dr. Prince Saparamadu said: “I personally believe this project has been a long-felt need as it will help our country to save a colossal sum of foreign exchange annually, because the expansion of the present refinery will be able to increase the output capacity of 50,000 barrels to 150,000 barrels”.

An Executive in the Export Development Board, Kanthi Weeresekara thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa for inviting a leader from a very powerful country and negotiate so that our country will be able to import crude oil at very low prices in the future,”.

“If we can import crude oil at low prices and also increase the refined oil output by expanding due to the expansion of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, our country can save millions on foreign exchange annually”.

Dancing teacher in a private school, Nilmini Ranasinghe wanted the Government to strengthen the cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Iran.

She said, our country is annually exchanging cultural troupe with several Asian countries such as India, China and Japan.

“Therefore, I propose the Government to increase both cultural ties and sporting links with Iran by sending Lankan cultural troupes and sports teams, so that we will be able to strengthen the friendship further with that country”.

Ex. Member of Parliament, K. R. Sahabdeen lauded the Government for introducing a radio and television transmission network under an agreement in media co-operation between the Sri Lanka Ministry of Mass Media and Information and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

“This kind of system was never brought to our country earlier and I think President Rajapaksa has taken a bold decision to introduce such a media co-operation system, considering the large Muslim population in the country”.

Private sector Executive, Kumara Weerakkodi hailed the visit made by an Iranian head of a State to Sri Lanka for the first time and thanked the Iranian Government for supporting Sri Lanka to expand the Sapugaskanda refinery.

“As we are aware, under this refinery expansion project our country will not only be able to increase refined oil output, but also we can also produce another product called `bitumen’ which is used in road construction and manufacture of roof sheeting.

Executive in a Ship Brokers Association, Akalanka Rajudeen of Mattakkuliya asked the Government to seek the support of the Iranian Government to solve the country’s longstanding ethnic conflict.

“We know Iran is very powerful in its military activities. Therefore, I urge the Government to train our security personnel in Iran”.

Executive in a mercantile establishment, Denham Gunawardana said, “The Iranian President’s visit to our country is memorable and therefore, I like to ask the Lankan authorities to obtain Iranian assistance to solve the armed conflict in our country first, rather than asking for any other assistance”. Employee in a private company,

Shammi Jayawardana highly commended the visit of Iranian President to Sri Lanka and asked the authorities to develop the tourism sector between the two countries.

In pursuance, he asked the Sri Lankan Tourist Board to commence tour parties with Iran, so that Sri Lankans will be able to visit archaeological sites in Iran.

Housewife, Vinitha Peris of Colombo thanked the Sri Lankan Government for starting close relationship with a country such as Iran which is also very popular for Science and Technological educational activities.

She therefore, proposed the Government to commence various educational development programs including a scholarship scheme with Iran for the benefit of students in both countries.

Pix: Vipula Amarasinghe