Talks between President, Indian PM

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday at the UN premises in New York, following his address at the 66th session, of the United Nations General Assembly, earlier in the day.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of bilateral interest and matters of importance at regional and international level.

President Rajapaksa also met Commonwealth of Nations Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma on Saturday. Former Indian diplomat Sharma is the Secretary General of the Commonwealth since April 1, 2008.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian Vice President Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassen met President Rajapaksa at the UN Head Office in New York and discussed issues of bilateral interest and regional matters.

The Maldivian Vice President expressed his happiness over the rapid progress Sri Lanka has made in a short span, the President’s Media said in a statement. External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris, MP Sajin Vass Gunewardene, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Head of Presidential Staff Gamini Senarath and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN Dr. Palitha Kohona also participated in the discussions.