King of Bahrain felicitates Mahinda with Kingdom’s highest honor

Tuesday, 29 April 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was presented yesterday with the prestigious Khalifa Medal, the highest honour in the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the ceremony, the Bahrain’s 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 honours the dedication of the late Emir 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 honoured. 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.” 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 Labour and Labour Relations Sarath Weerasekara, Western Provincial Councilor Nowzer Fowzie, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Bahrain Anura Rajakaruna were present for the awarding along with members of the business delegation.