Indo- Lanka ties excellent, say Foreign Ministers

INDIA said yesterday that relations with Sri Lanka were in "excellent shape", after holding comprehensive talks with the country's new Foreign Minister, Anura Bandaranaike, who was on his first official visit abroad.

"The two Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed that they were in excellent shape," an Indian Foreign Ministry statement said.

Bandaranaike briefed the Indian Foreign Minister "on domestic political developments" in Sri Lanka, especially those following the tragic assassination of former foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar two weeks ago, it added.

Bandaranaike held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the statement said.

The Foreign Minister arrived in India Thursday for a two-day visit during which he was also slated to hold talks with India's ruling Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi.

The Bandaranaikes of Sri Lanka have maintained close ties with India as well as with the Gandhi family. - AFP