Ahmadinejad visit a big boost to Lanka-Iran ties

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran-Sri Lanka relations are expected to get a big boost with the arrival tomorrow of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The two-day state visit will be the first ever Asian tour of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mr. Ahmadinejad is visiting the country on a special invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

On Tuesday, President Ahamedinejad and President Rajapaksa will lay the foundation stone for the Iranian-financed Uma Oya mega-hydropower project, in Wellawaya, in the Moneragala district.

The 450-million-dollar project will generate 100 megawatts of electricity and supply water for the industrial and agricultural sectors of the Hambantota and Moneragala districts.

Under the project, two dams will be constructed across the Uma Oya. One of the river’s tributaries will convey water through a 23-kilometre tunnel to an underground powerhouse in Wellawaya.

Sri Lanka will also sign an agreement with Iran to enhance the Sapugaskanda oil refinery. The refinery will process light crude for Iran. President Rajapaksa’s visit to Iran last year resulted in the Iranian government agreeing to provide US$1.9 billion to help fund major Sri Lankan projects.