Sri Lankan president leaves for India on 4-day official visit

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday left for India on a four-day official visit, the president office said here.

President Sirisena led a 16-member delegation to New Delhi and is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and other political leaders during his visit.

The visit is Sirisena's first overseas tour after his victory at the Presidential elections last month.

He is also expected to visit the Bhuddist pilgrimage site Buddha Gaya, in the Indian state of Bihar and the Tirupati Temple before he returns back to the island on Wednesday.

The president's office said that all bilateral matters including economy, peace and the Sri Lankan reconciliation process are expected to be discussed when Sirisena and Modi meet in New Delhi on Monday.

The longstanding fishing issue between the two countries is also expected to be on top of the agenda with Sirisena expected to ask Modi to stop Indian trawlers from entering Sri Lankan waters.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week said that all arrangements were in place to welcome the newly elected Sri Lankan president, and said that Sirisena's official visit to India will bring a new approach to the India--Sri Lanka ties.

Sirisena's delegation to India includes Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka and Resettlement Minister D. M. Swaminathan.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera who is in the United States after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to join Sirisena in India on Sunday. Endi