Gotabaya leads SL in congratulating US President-elect Biden, VP-elect Harris

• President Rajapaksa, PM, CBK wish newly-elected US President and VP
• President says looking forward to even more robust, mutually rewarding partnership
• CBK also congratulates Americans saying when kings become mad, only safeguard is democracy
• TNA also wishes newly-elected duo

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa led the country in congratulating US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris yesterday.

“Congratulations! president elect @JoeBiden on your historic victory. Look forward to working closely with you to strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries,” Rajapaksa said in a Twitter message.

He also said the Government and the people of Sri Lanka join him in extending their warmest congratulations to the newly-elected President and VP. 

“We look forward to working together towards an even more robust, mutually rewarding partnership,” he said.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also congratulated the duo. “As we mark #72 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries, I look forward to working with both of you to further enhance #SriLanka -#USA relations to benefit both our peoples,” he said in a Twitter message.

State Minister for Regional Cooperation Taraka Balasuriya in his congratulatory message noted that Sri Lanka and the US share similar traditions as old democracies displaying unique vibrancies of our electoral systems. “Look forward to elevating the good bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit,” he said.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also extended his warmest congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

“My warmest congratulations to @JoeBiden on your historic victory on being elected #POTUS46 & my best wishes as you prepare to serve in the highest office. I wish you & Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris, the very best in your efforts to transform America,” he said.

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya also wished the newly elected President and VP. “As United States has elected a new President, I wish good luck to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. As a progress-loving citizen of the world, I look forward to a new world order that cares to set off the damage the human race has caused to nature, and upholds values of democracy,” he said.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) also wished Biden and Harris. “As the premier political party representing the Tamil People in Sri Lanka, we congratulate #President_elect_Joe_Biden and Vice President elect @KamalaHarris on a momentous victory,” the TNA said on Twitter.

Tamil Progressive Alliance leader Mano Ganeshan congratulated Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for the victory and “being elected as the first woman to the said office in the election that generated the highest voter turnout in decades”.

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga also congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President elect Kamala Harris. “We South Asians and Women the World over are proud of you and wish you Good Luck and Success,” she said.

She also congratulated America. “When Kings become Mad, the only #safeguard the people have is DEMOCRACY - the proper functioning of it. The institutions must hold hard to resist all threats to their independence and ability to function legally .America has proved it ! So proud of you,” she added.

Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera congratulated the duo and called it “a momentous victory for democracy, justice and decency”.