President Maithripala Sirisena congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel, yesterday, on the latter's re-election for a fourth term.

"My warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to you on your unprecedented re-election for a fourth term as leader of your country," President Sirisena said in a congratulatory message to the German Chancellor.

He said that her electoral victory iwas a tribute to her able leadership and testimony to the trust and confidence reposed in her stewardship by the people of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The full text of the Sri Lankan President's congratulatory message to Merkel is as follows,

Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel

Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

Excellency,

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I am pleased to extend my warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to you on your unprecedented re-election for a fourth term as leader of your country.

Your Excellency’s electoral victory is a tribute to your able leadership and testimony to the trust and confidence reposed in your stewardship by the people of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Excellency, your deep commitment for the development and prosperity of Germany is noteworthy. I have no doubt that your wisdom, wealth of experience and charismatic leadership will certainly help in achieving the desired goals for the continued benefit of the people of Germany.

Sri Lanka and Germany enjoy close and friendly bilateral relations, characterized by cooperation and the sharing of common democratic values and interests on a wide range of global issues. I look forward to working in partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany to further enhance this relationship for the benefit of the peoples of our two countries.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for your health, happiness and personal well-being and for the progress and prosperity of the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Maithripala Sirisena

26th September, 2017