During his visit to Sri Lanka, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized the need for Israel to be held accountable for its actions in Palestine. Raisi stated that the Zionist Israeli regime has been oppressing and usurping Palestinian territories for 75 years, and that justice must be served to prevent similar actions in other lands. Raisi also highlighted the importance of expelling the usurpers, making them pay for the damages they have caused, and bringing them to justice. In addition to addressing political matters, Raisi also inaugurated a hydropower and irrigation project in Sri Lanka, showcasing Iran’s technological capabilities.
Raisi’s visit to Sri Lanka marked the first time an Iranian leader had visited the country since 2008 when former President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad visited. During his speech in Sri Lanka, Raisi criticized the belief that knowledge and technology are exclusive to Western countries, stating that Iran has proven otherwise by sharing its knowledge with other nations. The Uma Oya project, which Raisi inaugurated, was constructed with Iranian technical assistance and aimed to provide electricity and irrigation to a significant area in Sri Lanka. Despite facing challenges like international sanctions and technical issues, the project is set to contribute substantially to the national grid.
The Uma Oya project, valued at $514 million, faced delays in completion due to various factors, including international sanctions against Iran, technical issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the project is expected to add 290 GWh of electricity annually to the national grid and irrigate thousands of hectares of land, both new and existing agricultural plots. Raisi and Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe oversaw the signing of five memoranda of understanding covering various areas of cooperation, including tourism, science, technical media, films, and sports. This highlights the commitment of both countries to strengthening their ties and collaborating on different fronts.
Raisi’s visit to Sri Lanka came after his trip to Pakistan, where both countries agreed to enhance economic and security cooperation. By visiting Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Raisi aimed to strengthen ties with these nations and expand Iran’s influence in the region. The signing of various agreements and the inauguration of significant projects demonstrate Iran’s willingness to engage with other countries and showcase its technological capabilities. Overall, Raisi’s visit to Sri Lanka was reflective of Iran’s efforts to assert its presence on the global stage and foster partnerships with like-minded nations in the region.
