A Media Release issued by the Presidential Spokesman and International Media Unit on 14th August 2014 making this announcement was handed over to Ms. Hana Abu Hakemah, Deputy Head of the Asia, Africa & Australia of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry by Mr. M. Siraj Ahamed, Attaché of the Representative Office during a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ramallah recently.

Mr. Siraj Ahamed highlighted the continued support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Palestinian cause and the long standing, close and friendly relations between the two countries. He also recalled the historic State Visit of the President to the State of Palestine in January this year during which the “Star of Palestine” - the highest award of State of Palestine was conferred on President Rajapaksa by the Government of Palestine.

Mr. Ahamed further said that four students from Palestine have already been offered scholarships under the “ Government of Sri Lanka Presidential Scholarships Program to Foreign Students” and another four students will be selected under the same programme this year. He also said that “ H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa Vocational Training Center” is another opportunity for Palestinians to develop their skills in various fields.

Ms. Hana, in her remarks thanked President Rajapaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka for the action taken to provide the financial assistance to the State of Palestine. “We are very grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his continued support for the Palestinian cause and also appreciate this financial assistance as a goodwill gesture” she added .

“Al –Quds”- a leading newspaper in Palestine also carried a news item regarding the financial assistance provided by the Government of Sri Lanka.