Opposing any new sanctions against Islamic Republic of Iran, Sri Lanka has voiced support for the Islamic country's right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
With Tehran facing growing pressure from the US and its European allies over its peaceful nuclear programmes, the Sri Lankan envoy to Iran Muhammad Zuhair backed Iran-IAEA negotiations and asserted that the UN atomic watchdog's conventions allow Iran to conduct nuclear researches, Zeenews portal reported here quoting a newspaper from Colombo.
The Ambassador denounced "rumours" of a possible US attack against Iran and that Sri Lanka opposed the imposition of new sanctions against Tehran.
The envoy's statement comes in the backdrop of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's visit to Iran next week to discuss various issues including infrastructure support for the island country.
During his visit from October 24, Rajapakse is expected to solicit Iran's support for two power projects and a credit line for oil supplies in the backdrop of rising international crude oil prices.
"It is learnt that the Sri Lankan President will in exchange for Iran's support provide an assurance that Sri Lanka will not support any move in the UN to impose any sanctions or other strictures on Iran over is nuclear programme."
© IRNA 2007
