'Close Indo-Lanka ties vital for progress of both countries'

'The close bilateral relations existing between Sri Lanka and India are very vital for the future progress of both countries' said visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna when he met Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne at the Prime Minister's office yesterday morning.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna meeting at the Prime Minister’s office yesterday.

He said friendly relations between Sri Lanka and India had shown an unprecedented growth in recent times.

The Indian External Affairs Minister said Economic, Social and Cultural relations have been built up between the two countries from ancient times and it was most timely to take them forward. India has provided wide ranging opportunities and facilities to the Sri Lankan Buddhist public.

'As part of this it has been planned to launch a special train service from Chennai for the benefit of visiting Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims to enable them to pay homage to all important Buddhist places of worship in India.

'The train service will be started from next month. Under this programme it has been planned to provide food and office facilities to pilgrims at discounted prices, he said

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said friendly relations between Sri Lanka and India had a history of nearly 4,000 years. The prudent foreign policy pursued by President Mahinda Rajapaksa had helped to widen friendship and relations between the two countries. India has been continuing its wide contributions towards Sri Lanka's development activities.

'India has provided special assistance towards the high ways and railway sectors and Sri Lanka was extremely thankful to India for its support," the PM said.

Members of the Indian Minister's delegation, Indian High Commissioner Ashook K. Kantha, Prime Minister's Secretary S. Amarasekera and Sri Lanka High Commissioner in India Prasad Kariyawasam were also present on the occasion.