By Walter Jayawardhana

A team of heroic Sri Lankan forces who disproved to the world the popular Western notion that terrorism cannot be defeated were scheduled to join in the 40th National Day parade in Tripoli, Libya exhibiting the strong Libyan-Sri Lankan friendship, government sources said.

The Sri Lankan troops flown to Tripoli, were met by Libyan leader Muammar Al Gaddaffi, last night, to show LibyaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s gratitude and personally thank them for their participation in the 40th National Day parade which was scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Libyan time. The charismatic Libyan leader also presented the Sri Lankan troops with mementoes when he met them.

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousouf Raza Gilani met President Mahinda Rajapaksa for bi-lateral talks in Tripoli, Libya on September 1 2009. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga are sharing the joy of the moment.

During the morning hours before the parade President Mahinda Rajapaksa spent his time strengthening Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s bilateral relations with the only other Asian nations participating in the 40th National Day celebrations of Libya by meeting President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousouf Raza Gilani.

The President of the Philippines Gloria Arroyo told President Mahinda Rajapaksa that she very much appreciated the achievements of the Sri Lankan troops in eliminating terrorism from the country. She said her country was willing to solicit Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s experiences in achieving the heroic feat, which would be an example to the whole world.

During the discussions with Prime Minister Raza Gilani President Mahinda Rajapaksa talked on topics that would strengthen more the already existing strong bonds between the two countries. The Pakistani Prime Minister also reiterated his countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s already expressed desire to train some Pakistnai troops to share Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s experiences in routing terrorism.

President of the Philippines Gloria macapagal Arroyo met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tripoli Libya. Here She is engaged in an animated conversation with the Sri Lankan leader (Photos by Sudath Silva)

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said after the talks with the foreign dignitaries that they not only greatly appreciated Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s military achievements in defeating terrorism but also the governmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s efforts to take rapid development to the areas which have been under the terrorists for more than quarter of a century. They also appreciated Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s strong measures to introduce democracy back to those areas.

Bogollagama said, thirty leaders and eighty countries participated in the grand celebrations on September 1, 2009 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Libyan revolution. The presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the celebrations has won high acclaims especially of the Moslem nations.