| The
message adds: "It also gives me great pleasure
to welcome your appointment as the first woman President
of India following on the footsteps of a number of illustrious
women leaders of this great democracy."
Here is the text of the message
H. E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil
President of the Republic of India
Excellency,
I write to convey my warmest best
wishes to you on your assumption of duties as the President
of India. It also gives me great pleasure to welcome
your appointment as the first woman President of India
following on the footsteps of a number of illustrious
women leaders of this great democracy.
You take over this highest constitutional
responsibility of your country, at a time when India
stands poised to commemorate sixty years of achievement
as an independent nation. Your election with a decisive
majority to the post of President is both a recognition
of your long and distinguished public service, as well
as a tribute to the important contribution made by a
long line of outstanding women to their country. It
is also a reaffirmation of the noble values of inclusiveness
and pluralism, which are the constant and firm foundation
of modern India. These are values that the people of
Sri Lanka, who will be celebrating their sixtieth Anniversary
of Independence next year, deeply cherish.
I am confident that during your
tenure as President, the close and abiding ties between
India and Sri Lanka which span centuries and which draw
their inspiration from our common religious and cultural
heritage will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Let me therefore, Excellency, avail
myself of this opportunity to extend to you on behalf
of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka and on
my own behalf, our best wishes for your continued success
in the service of your nation.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances
of my highest consideration.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
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