Sri Lanka's President says will maintain friendly relations with all nations

Sri Lanka's newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave a speech on vember 18 at his swearing-in ceremony and said that his country will maintain friendly relations with all countries and remain neutral in matters involving international powers to stay out of any disputes. Former defence secretary's statement is considered to be important as Sri Lanka has historically been a major commercial hub due to its strategic position in Indian Ocean. Rajapaksa swept to victory on Sunday defeating his nearest rival Sajith Premasa by a margin of over 13 lakh votes. During his first dress to nation at Ruwanweli Seya in Anurhapura, he mentioned about matters such as foreign policy and sustainable development.

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Rajapaksa promises support to UN's SDGs

While speaking about foreign policy, he ted that Sri Lanka will maintain friendly ties with all nations and would remain neutral between international powers to avoid conflicts, according to reports. He also promised to support UN's sustainable development goals and make Sri Lanka one of fast-growing countries in sustainable development. He me sure that corruption would t be tolerated under his ministration. Rajapaksa is considered to be a war-hero in island nation by Buddhist majority and mostly distrusted by mirity Tamils.

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Rajapaksa a 'war hero'

During his first media interaction in October after being declared as a presidential candidate of Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP), he said that he would t hour country's commitments to UN Human Rights Council on post-war accountability and reconciliation. He said that Sri Lanka will always work with UN but can't recognize what y signed with past governments. He was appointed to post of defence secretary in vember 2005 by n newly elected President Mahinda. He looked after military operation which defeated militant group, LTTE in May 2009 and earned him tag of a "war hero".

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