Sri Lanka confirms Indian PM’s visit

Colombo, Feb 20 (IANS) The Sri Lankan government on Friday confirmed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the island nation next month.

Cabinet Spokesperson and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that Modi will arrive in Sri Lanka March 13 on a three day official visit to hold talks with the government, Xinhua reported.

Senaratne said that Modi’s visit will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime in over 25 years.

Modi is also expected to travel to the country’s war ravaged northern region.

The visit has been scheduled a month after the visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to New Delhi.

Sirisena who termed his recent visit to India as successful, returned Feb 18 after signing four key agreements with the Indian government, including one on civil nuclear cooperation.

The agreements will further strengthen the economic, power and energy, fisheries and cultural affairs sectors between the two countries, the health minister added.