Rajapaksa hails Mukherjee

Colombo, July 25 (IANS) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Wednesday said the election of Pranab Mukherjee as India's new president had brought "deep joy" to him.

"The government and people of Sri Lanka join me in extending to you our sincere congratulations on your election as president," Rajapaksa said in a message to Mukherjee.

"Having come to know you closely for long years, your election to the highest office in India is a matter of deep joy for me personally."

He said the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) decision to make him the president show the "the trust placed in you by the people of India and the high regard in which you are held.

"The people of Sri Lanka salute your achievements and acknowledge your long standing and sustained efforts in strengthening relations between India and Sri Lanka.

"I am confident that your resolve to work towards enhancing the close ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries will be strengthened even further in your new capacity."