President begins landmark India visit

From Bandula Jayasekara in New Delhi

New Delhi, Tuesday: President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi today on a four-day state visit, his first as the President of Sri Lanka.

This historic visit is widely expected to strengthen ties between the two neighbours.

The President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa were welcomed at the Palam Airport in New Delhi by the State Minister for External Affairs E. Ahamed, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Nirupama Rao and Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi C.R. Jayasinghe.

President Rajapaksa who is here on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr. Abdul Kalam will hold talks with Indian Premier Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi and other senior Indian leaders during his four day visit.

He will also fly to Chennai for talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayaram.

On Wednesday, the President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa will be ceremonially welcomed at the Forecourt of Rashtrapathi Bhawan followed by a Gun Salute and a Guard of honour.

Thereafter the President will make a floral tribute at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

The President and his delegation will hold talks with Indian Premier Dr Singh in the afternoon. Dr Singh will host the Sri Lankan President for lunch thereafter. President Kalam will host a special banquet in honour of President Rajapaksa and Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Several agreements will be signed between the two countries during the President's visit to the Indian capital.

Agreements will be signed to construct a 150-bed hospital in Dick Oya, a Software Park and a coal power project in Trincomalee. Agreements on mutual legal assistance and a 100 million dollar credit line to develop the railway sector in Sri Lanka will also be inked.

President Rajapakse will make a special visit to Bodh Gaya where the Buddha attained Enlightenment. He will also visit the famous Hindu Temple in Cochin, Guruvayur.

Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Ferial Ashraff, A. H. M. Fowzie, Rohitha Bogollagama and Felix Perera, several deputy ministers and secretaries of relevant ministries are accompanying the President.