President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in Bahrain at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday at a reception organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy. President Rajapaksa said when he took the opportunity to speak briefly to those who had gathered, that he is happy to establish diplomatic ties with Bahrain. He added that because of the opening of the Embassy, “the cooperation between the two countries has increased,” and the Government has been able to better serve the Sri Lankans in Bahrain.

The President told the audience about the high regard that the King of Bahrain His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa held the Sri Lankan community in Bahrain and the positive comments he made during the bilateral discussions about the contribution of Sri Lankans in Bahrain to the country’s economy as well.

While encouraging each person to positively represent Sri Lanka, the President also requested the Sri Lankan community in Bahrain not to fall prey to misinformation. President Rajapaksa said the portrayal that there is religious tension in Sri Lanka, that some are trying to create, is inaccurate. He reassured the audience that he would not allow for any type of religious conflict in Sri Lanka to raise its head.