In order to make a “new beginning” with India, Sri lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a four-day visit. This is Sirisena’s maiden trip outside his country after becoming lanka’s President in December. President Sirisena is keen to see that the pro-China tilt during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s time to keep India under pressure, stands balanced under his regime. “We will be making a new beginning with India,” said lankan Minister lakshman Kiriella in Colombo.
In New Delhi, spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said both countries were looking at “substantive talks” in terms of announcement of agreements and frameworks. All bilateral matters, including economy, peace, Sri lankan reconciliation process and issues relating to fishermen will be discussed between Sirisena and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday when they meet for bilateral talks.
Repatriation of nearly 90,000 lankan Tamil refugees who at present are living in India is high on agenda. The issue was discussed in detail between lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently and it is expected that Modi and Sirisena will give it a direction. India has been pressing for implementation of 13th Amendment to the Sri lankan Constitution that envisages devolution of powers to the provinces impacted by ethnic conflict in the country. lanka recently announced that it will implement it within a unitary framework. Sri lankan officials said Sirisena is also keen to tackle the perennial problem of fishermen and seizure of their boats by the two countries and it is leatnt lanka is working out a way to release about 87 boats under its control in a systematic way.
While lanka aims at increasing Indian investments in the country to create jobs and push economy, the country has sought India’s help in setting up a financial intelligence unit to check illegal transfers of money from the Island country. Sirisena will be given a reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday before he sits with Modi at Hyderabad House for talks and lunch. President Pranab Mukherjee will host a banquet in the honour of Sirisena on Monday evening. later, Sirisena will go to Bodhgaya and Tirupati for a religious tour and leave for Colombo from Kochi.
Sirisena’s delegation includes Resettlement Minister DM Swaminathan, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Power & Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka, and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha.