TEHRAN Flights will be soon conducted between Tehran and Colombo after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on air link, Sri Lankan Minister of Aviation and Airports Development Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said here yesterday.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the TEHRAN TIMES, the minister voiced his satisfaction with the present trend of the expansion of ties between the two countries.

Fernandopulle, also a member of Sri Lankan Parliament, said that he was making his first visit to the Islamic Republic.

Iran and Sri Lanka signed their first memorandum of understanding on air link here on Saturday.

Earlier this month Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kavirgamar visited Iran at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi.

Direct flights between the two countries will be conducted by the Iranian national carrier Iran Air and the Sri Lankan Airlines.

Underlining the importance of the MOU, Fernandopulle said, "The direct air link between the two countries will boost the exchange of tourists and commercial goods."

During his stay here, the Sri Lankan minister met with Minister of Roads and Transportation Mohammad Hojjati. Several high-ranking officials, including the Director of Sri Lankan Airlines W.P.S. Jayawardene, are accompanying the minister on his visit to Tehran.

Sri Lanka's Charge d'Affaires in Tehran, Karuna Dasa, was also present at the daily's interview with the Sri Lankan minister.