The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, has touched down in Sri Lanka, heralding a significant diplomatic milestone between the two nations. His arrival at the Mattala Airport in Hambantota was swiftly followed by participation in the public ceremony inaugurating the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.
This afternoon, President Raisi is set to meet with President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo, where the signing of five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) is expected to fortify the relationship between Iran and Sri Lanka.
This one-day official visit, initiated by an invitation from President Wickremesinghe, marks the first visit of an Iranian President to Sri Lanka since 2008. The Uma Oya project, akin to the Mahaweli Development Project, stands as one of Sri Lanka's largest irrigation ventures, supported by Iran's Farab Energy and Water Projects. Its primary goal is to address water scarcity in the southeastern dry region by redirecting excess water from the Uma Oya basin to the Kirindi Oya basin, ensuring sustainable water management for the region.