COLOMBO: Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has arrived in Sri Lanka for a brief official visit aimed at strengthening relations.
As per media reports, Iranian President will also inaugurate a $514-million hydropower project during his stay in Sri Lanka. The first trip by an Iranian president to Colombo since an April 2008 visit by its then president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will see the two sides sign five agreements, or Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
Tehran agreed to build the hydro power project in 2010 but also funds dried up following the release of $50 million, as U.S. sanctions imposed later that year on Iran made it hard to transfer funds, forcing Sri Lankan government to fund the rest.
Iran’s President Visits Sri Lanka
It was also hit by delays due to the COVID-19, environmental issues and protests from villagers in the country.
The office of Sri Lanka’s president said in a statement that the project will add 290 GWh to Sri Lanaka national grid, while supplying water to 15,000 acres of farmland and clean drinking water to thousands of families in the country.
The statement further said that the ceremony, chaired by the presidents of Sri Lanka and Iran, will symbolize the co-operation between the two countries in this significant infrastructure endeavour.
