Pledging his country’s complete support to Sri Lanka, the vice president and prime minister of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has said he understood very well the island nation’s situation and the realities on the ground.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa held talks this afternoon with Sheikh Mohammed, who is the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the ruler of Dubai.

During the discussion, Sheikh Mohammed assured President Rajapaksa of UAE’s support to Sri Lanka, the Presidential Spokesman said.

In cordial and friendly talks that took place in Dubai, the Sheikh told the President that he understood very well Sri Lanka’s situation and the realities on the ground.

Sheikh Mohammed further expressed his willingness to enhance bilateral relations and to increase UAE investments in Sri Lanka.

“Commending President Rajapaksa’s able leadership, the Prime Minister said there is now a conducive environment for investing in Sri Lanka since peace has returned after so many years,” the Spokesman said in a statement.

President Rajapaksa invited Sheikh Mohammed to visit Sri Lanka, which he has accepted. Before concluding the discussion, the Dubai ruler also gifted the President with a book of poems, which the Prime Minister had authored.

The Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena participated in the discussion.