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VIDEO: Bahrain presents Khalifa Medal to Rajapaksa
Apr 28, 201410:51 PM
President Mahinda Rajapaksa was today presented with the prestigious Khalifa Medal, the highest honor in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in recognition of his efforts to move bilateral ties between the two countries to a higher level.
During the ceremony, the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa said the medal is being presented to President Rajapaksa “in appreciation of your Excellency and your friendly country, and in recognition of the efforts you are personally exerting to move with bilateral ties to a higher level of development and progress.”
The Order of Al-Khalifa was founded in 1940 and revived in the 1970s. The medal honors the dedication of the late Amir Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa to humanitarianism.
The medal has been presented to a handful of notable leaders including the King of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Queen Elizabeth II, among others.
Upon receiving the medal, President Rajapaksa said, “I am humbled and honored,” the President’s Media Unit said in a statement.
He further said, “With Bahrain, we seek to build an enhanced dynamic partnership. The kind words, gracious hospitality and warm interactions will leave enduring and fond memories of this state visit, for me and my delegation, which undoubtedly will translate into active cooperation.”
Sri Lanka and Bahrain today signed three Memorandums of Understanding on sports, culture and arts, and another between the University of Colombo and the University of Bahrain.
The agreements aim to further collaboration and strengthen the relations between the two countries.
Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Industry and Commerce,Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Dilan Perera, Deputy Minister of Labor and Labor Relations, Sarath Weerasekara ,Western Provincial Councilor, Nowzer Fowzie and Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Bahrain Mr. Anura Rajakaruna were present for the awarding along with members from the business delegation.
