Sri Lanka represented at Venezuelan President’s inauguration

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona, joined by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba, Sarath Dissanayake represented Sri Lanka at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro Moros held at the Venezuelan National Assembly in Caracas on 19 April, which coincidentally was the 203rd Anniversary of the Independence of Venezuela. 

On this occasion, President Maduro, the winner of the 14 April Presidential Elections, was sworn in as the 2nd President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela before the President of the National Assembly; Diosdado Cabello at a solemn ceremony attended a large gathering of foreign dignitaries.

 In his inaugural address to the nation, President Maduro promised a better future for the Venezuelan people and called on them to support him in his nation building endeavours. He also vowed to live up to the expectations of the former President Hugo Chavez and continue the legacy to make Venezuela a prosperous nation for all. President Maduro’s key policy initiatives include a socialist revolution while promising to build three million houses for the poor and a new national power generation system for Venezuela, among others.

 The Sri Lankan Delegation was also invited to witness the impressive civil-military parade held that afternoon at the Military Academy of Venezuela which was presided over by President Maduro. The new President was awarded a range of honours by the military.

 President Mahinda Rajapaksa, issuing a congratulatory message to President Nicolas Maduro conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes on his election to high office while expressing his desire to work closely to further strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Venezuela.