Indian PM tells President:

'Longstanding Indo- Lanka friendship should be further strengthened'

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh reiterated that the longstanding deep friendship between India and Sri Lanka should be further strengthened without leaving room for minor incidents to disrupt it.

The Indian Prime Minister said special emphasis should be laid on strengthening economic and defence ties between the two countries.

Dr Manmohan Singh said he greatly appreciated the deep veneration and homage paid by Sri Lankan people to the Sacred Kapilavastu relics and noted that the exposition of these relics further cemented the friendship and co-operation between the peoples of the two countries. President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his views emphasised the need on the part of both countries to work towards further strengthening the mutual friendship and co-operation existing between them.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Parliamentarian Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama and Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in India Prasad Kariyawasam were also present on the occasion.