Supreme Leader: Unity, friendship of member states serve national interests

Tehran, Aug 31, IRNA – Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Friday that unity and friendship of NAM member states raise their power and secure their national interests. In a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the 16th NAM Summit, Supreme Leader said the hegemonic powers through their media and political insinuations, try to show themselves invincible but experience with Iran and Sri Lanka shows resistance to colonialism and domineering powers bears fruit. Ayatollah Khamenei said Sri Lankan support for Palestinian nation and respect to rights of Muslims in Sri Lanka are noteworthy values adopted by Sri Lankan government. The Supreme Leader welcomed Sri Lankan President’s interest in expansion of ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Rajapaksa for his part thanked the Supreme Leader for his address to the NAM Summit, saying the proposal for cleansing the Middle East of nuclear arms and his Excellency’s remarks on Palestine were highly interesting. Pointing to Iran-Sri Lanka cooperation in pharmaceutical industries and agriculture as well as development projects, Rajapaksa urged enhanced cooperation.