PM Modi & visiting Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to hold talks today

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. The proposed Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), development of eastern port district of Trincomalee and the issue of fishermen between the two countries are likely to figure in the discussions. 

ETCA seeks to expand the scope of trade to services and technology sector with a Free trade agreement (FTA) already existing between the two countries. Our colombo correspondent reports before his visit, Sri Lankan Prime Minister said that he is looking forward to strengthen economic cooperation with India. 

He also said the development of eastern port district of Trincomalee will be discussed during the visit. He said he is in favour of early finalization of the ETCA deal. Mr Wickremesinghe had



arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a five-day working visit to India. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will also call on the visiting dignitary. 

Mr. Wickremesinghe will also hold discussions with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. He is being accompanied by International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema and Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

Sri Lankan government has proposed to sign a MoU with India next month during the visit of Prime minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka. The MoU proposes Indian investment in development of port and oil tank farms in Trincomalee, setting up of a LNG power plant and terminal, piped gas supply in capital Colombo, highway and railway projects in north and east of the country etc.