President congratulates Southern Sudan [July 16 2011]  

In a congratulatory message addressed to Southern Sudan President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka would like to be partners at this happy and historic moment with Southern Sudan and its’ people and had assured his fullest cooperation towards the consolidation of bilateral relations. The Message was handed over to the Southern Sudan Government by the Senior Minister at Juba.

As a special envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prof. Tissa Vitharana, the Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs participated at the Inauguration Ceremony of Africa’s 54th newest nation, the ‘Republic of Southern Sudan’ on 9th July 2011 at it’s capital Juba.  

Southern Sudan emerged from long civil war after the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Nairobi on 9th January 2005 between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. This eventually led to a referendum between 09th to 16th January this year, when 98.3percent of the population in Southern Sudan voted for seceding from the North.  

Sri Lanka plans to concurrently accredit the Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Nairobi to Southern Sudan and also to appoint an Honorary Consul for Juba.