INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have extended their congratulations to Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Both leaders expressed their confidence in President Dissanayake’s ability to lead Sri Lanka forward, highlighting the strong and enduring relationship between the two nations.
In their congratulatory letters, both President Tharman and Prime Minister Wong emphasized the close economic cooperation and people-to-people ties that have long characterized the relationship between Singapore and Sri Lanka. President Tharman specifically noted the confidence the Sri Lankan people have placed in President Dissanayake to guide the country through its current challenges.
Prime Minister Wong highlighted the shared interests between Singapore and Sri Lanka in areas such as carbon credits and capacity building, as well as their collaboration at multilateral fora. Both leaders expressed their hope to further strengthen relations between the two countries, particularly as they commemorate 55 years of diplomatic ties in 2025.
President Dissanayake, a leftist politician, was sworn into office on Monday, September 23, 2024, after winning the presidency with 42.3% of the vote. His victory marked a significant shift in Sri Lankan politics, as he is the country’s first leftist president. President Dissanayake’s rise to power came after the country’s 2022 economic crisis, which led to widespread hardship for ordinary citizens. His election represents a new chapter for Sri Lanka, and Singapore stands ready to support the country as it navigates this new era. (Red)
