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Sushma Swaraj calls on President Maithripala Sirisena on Sri Lanka visit

During an hour-long meeting, the two leaders discussed various projects undertaken by India in Sri Lanka.

Colombo: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and discussed a host of regional and international issues.

Swaraj, who arrived here on Friday 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,” 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 in the 9th Joint commission meeting which has held here on Friday. 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 2015 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip here in March.

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

“Both the leaders expressed happiness that there has been transformative changes in last one year in our bilateral relations,” Sinha said.

Swaraj also met R Sampanthan, leader of opposition and chief of main Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and other leaders of the party.

The TNA leaders apprised the minister on the “various efforts that have been made by the government since January last year in moving forward the reconciliation process, the political process and expressed readiness to work with the government in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Sri Lanka,” he said.

She also met Eastern Province chief minister Nazir Ahmad and leaders of Sri Lankan Muslim Congress and discussed various issues.

Swaraj will meet political leaders of Tamil Progressive Alliance and Ceylon Workers Congress before heading back home.

( Source : PTI )
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