Sri Lankan President Sirisena arrives in Delhi

The 63-year-old, who dethroned Mahinda Rajapaksa from his 10-year rule after a bitter presidential election, has already indicated that he wants to have a closer relationship with India and chose the nation for his first foreign visit.

The Sri Lankan president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on Monday during which they are likely to deliberate on all major issues such as devolution of power to the Tamil community and the sticky fishermen issue.

India has been hoping that the new



Lankan government will develop ties on the “foundation of genuine and effective reconciliation” creating harmony among all sections there. India has also been pressing for implementation of 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution. The amendment that followed the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of July 1987 signed between then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and then Sri Lankan president J R Jayewardene envisaged the devolution of powers to the provinces in the midst of the island’s bitter ethnic conflict.

Sirisena is leading a delegation that includes Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Resettlement Minister D M Swaminathan, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha.