UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a meeting with President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa that the United Nations would extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka in moving forward to promote unity among communities.

He made the remarks during a special meeting between the President and the Secretary - General of the United Nations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Guterres, while welcoming the Sri Lankan President at the United Nations Headquarters, reminisced about his visits to Sri Lanka in 1978 on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and his visits to Kandy, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee.

President Rajapaksa said he was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and congratulated him on leading the United Nations during a challenging period and on his re-election as Secretary-General.