Sushma Swaraj Calls On Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

February 06, 2016

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and discussed a host of regional and international issues.

Swaraj, who arrived in Colombo yesterday on a two-day official visit, had an "excellent meeting" with President Sirisena, Indian High Commissioner to Colombo YK Sinha said.

"The President recalled the very warm ties that exist between the two countries build on civilisational links of thousands of years," he said.

During an hour-long meeting, the two leaders discussed various projects undertaken by India in Sri Lanka and decisions taken during the previous high-level visits.

"They expressed satisfaction at the progress in various projects undertaken by India in Sri Lanka and the President thanked India for its assistance," Mr Sinha said.

"President Sirisena briefed the minister on development on regional and international issues. They discussed a host of issues," he said.

The two leaders also reviewed the progress made the 9th Joint commission meeting which has held in Colombo yesterday. The joint commission was set up in 1992 as a mechanism to address issues of bilateral cooperation.

Sirisena recalled with happiness his visit to India in February last year and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Colombo in March.

Swaraj later met former president Chandrika Bhandaranaike Kumaratunga and they discussed the state of bilateral ties.

(PTI)