"You bring to the high office of the Presidency, a wealth of experience in politics, economics and in the academia. Your long association with the process of stabilization of Afghanistan and your commitment to the democratic ethos will no doubt be a tremendous asset for
Afghanistan at this important juncture in your country's history." President Rajapaksa has said in his message, to Dr. Ahmadzai.

The President further says that Sri Lanka and Afghanistan share the warmest of relations and are bound by a common cultural heritage, strong traditional bonds of friendship and mutual goodwill. Recalling that engagement within the framework of SAARC and international fora has also grown in the recent past President Rajapaksa has expressed hope to work closelywith the new Afghan Leader for the enhancement of relations between the two nations.(KH)