Sri Lanka, March 2 -- SLPP MP, Namal Rajapaksa expressed shock over the reported assassination of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in air strikes describing him as a close friend of Sri Lanka.

Taking to X, the MP said he was "shocked to hear" of Ahmadinejad's assassination and recalled the former Iranian leader's role in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Rajapaksa noted that Ahmadinejad had been instrumental in launching several key development projects in Sri Lanka during his visit to the island in 2008 at the invitation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, including the upgrading of the Sapugaskande Oil Refinery and the implementation of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

Stating that Ir...