President to meet Mukherjee and Manmohan in India

Disna MUDALIGE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet new Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on September 20 during his official visit to India, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said.

Addressing a press conference at the ministry yesterday, the minister said the President is a special invitee at the foundation laying ceremony for an international Buddhist University in Sanchi on September 21.

He said periodic meetings and regular interaction with the highest political authority in Delhi is a usual practice which Sri Lanka pursues to strengthen bilateral relations.

Responding to a question by a journalist on the travel advisory to Tamil Nadu, the minister said it would be withdrawn when appropriate, and it is not meant to be permanent.

The minister said the Sri Lankan government is keeping the situation constantly under review, and India’s central government has assured protection to Lankan visitors to any part of India.

He said the Indian government condemned the recent attack on a group of Lankan pilgrims in Tamil Nadu. Prof Peiris said it has clearly spoken its position and has committed to ensure safety of the Sri Lankans. He noted people - to - people contacts have been thriving between the two countries.