Sri Lanka Prez leaves for India to make 'new beginning'

February 15, 2015 15:36

Seeking a 'new beginning' in bilateral ties, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday left for a four-day state visit to India, his maiden foreign trip after he assumed charge last month.

During the visit, the 63-year-old leader is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee besides holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key issues, including peace and reconciliation process in his country.

According to presidential advisors, the Lankan president is desirous of making a new beginning in the Indo-Lanka relations after bilateral ties suffered under Sirisena's predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa over India's backing to US-moved resolutions at the UN rights body over alleged warcrimes.

"We will be making a new beginning with India," acting government spokesman and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said.

Sirisena, who dethroned Rajapaksa after a bitter presidential poll on January 9, has indicated that he wants to have closer relations with India.

India has been hoping that the new government will develop Lanka on the "foundation of genuine and effective reconciliation" creating harmony between all sections there.

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