Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday, January 16, praised President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs and dubbed it as “an example to the whole world”.
During a state banquet as a part of Sirisena’s state visit in the Philippines, the Sri Lankan leader said that he wants to replicate the administration’s aggressive campaign against crime and drugs.
“Excellency, the war against crime and drugs carried out by you is an example to the whole world, and personally to me,” Sirisena said.
“Drug menace is rampant in my country and I feel that we should follow your footsteps to control this hazard.”
Sirisena said he was also impressed by Duterte’s leadership, which he described as having “led the nation on a road to prosperity, sustaining economic growth, launching and building critical infrastructure, generating employment and securing Philippines people-centric foreign policy effectively.”
The Sri Lankan president also invited Duterte to become the first ever Philippine president to visit his country.
“I would like to extend to Your Excellency and Madam Cielito an invitation to undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka at an early date. This would be equally historic as it would be the first ever State Visit undertaken by a Philippine leader,”
Sirisena is in the country for a five-day state visit, making him the first Sri Lankan head of state to visit the Philippines.
