In the midst of official level engagements to finalize two crucial bi-lateral agreements between Sri Lanka and India, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe is scheduled to depart for New Delhi next week.
The two countries are poised to finalize an MoU for joint development of Trincomalee port to set up a petroleum refinery inclduing a land lease agreement as well as a bi-lateral Trade agreement to boost trade relations. The Indian External Affairs Ministry announced that during the ‘working visit’ Indian leader Narendra Modi will be hosting a luncheon meeting with the PM Wickremasinghe on April 26.
Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema has already departed to India for the preliminary discussions, Foreign Ministry sources said.
Official Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Shri Gopal Baglay making the announcement at his weekly briefing on Thursday said India’s External Affairs Minister, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister for Road Transport Highways and Shipping will be calling on the visiting Sri Lankan dignitary’ during his stay in Delhi. He said the visit of PM Wickremasinghe to India is,’part of our continuing engagement with the government of Sri Lanka at the highest level’.
After his official engagements, the PM will be making a private visit outside the Capital to attend a wedding ceremony. He will be staying in India from April 25-29.
The External Affairs Ministry Official Spokesperson said the details of PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in May to attend the UN Vesak Day official ceremony is currently being worked out. The Indian media reported that the
Indian leader is expected to open a hospital built with Indian funding in
Dickoya during this visit.