Umesh Gautam, CEO - Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC and President - Indian CEO Forum of Sri Lanka (the main body for Indian business investment in Sri Lanka), has issued a message congratulating the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 'his well deserved victory'.

'On behalf of the Board of Directors and the members of the Indian CEO Forum, I would like to extend our congratulations to the newly elected president of Sri Lanka for a resounding victory at the polls. The Indian CEO Forum wishes to extend its full support to the mandate you have been entrusted with by the citizens of Sri Lanka and stand prepared to work towards taking this country forward under your leadership,' the statement said.

Indian investment in Sri Lanka represents some of the oldest Foreign Direct Investments in Sri Lanka dating as far back as 1980 when outside private investment was virtually non-existent. The forum's commitment to the economic prosperity of Sri Lanka has been unshaken even in the worst of times during the war and under the cloud of terrorism. 'Many of our members have adopted Sri Lanka as our second home and have strong ties to the island that transcend economic and political co-operation,' it said.

Today Indian investment in Sri Lanka is the second largest source of FDI in Sri Lanka while trade between the two countries has grown to over US$ 5 billion since 2000 and is expected to reach $ 10 billion over the next five years. 'The Indian CEO Forum works to promote and contribute to the economic growth of Sri Lanka and reaffirms its commitment to this cause going forward under your great leadership,' it said.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan