Aiming to boost ties, newly-elected Sri lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will visit India later this month, a media report said here on Sunday. Sirisena is slated to undertake a two-day official visit to India on February 16. The dates were agreed upon during consultations between Colombo and New Delhi through diplomatic channels, the Sunday Times reported.
A reciprocal visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri lanka is also planned from March 13-15. During his visit, plans are underway for Modi to travel to the northern Tamil town of Jaffna, the report said. Sirisena, who dethroned Mahinda Rajapaksa from his 10-year rule after a bitter presidential poll on January 9, has already indicated that he wants to have closer relations with India. It could be Sirisena’s first official foreign visit after assuming office. Sri lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera also visited India soon after assuming charge last month.