Sri Lankan President's first trip will be to India

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will visit India on his maiden foreign trip next month even as he ordered the release of all Indian fishermen in custody here as a goodwill gesture on the first day in office.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the President to visit India and wanted the visit to take place this month itself. But, he said this month may not be possible, but early next month is ok,” government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said. Modi, during his telephonic talk to congratulate Sirisena, had invited him to Delhi at his earliest convenience, Senaratne said.