PM Modi discusses bilateral issues of mutual interest with Lankan President Sirisena
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and the two leaders discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest, reported news agency PTI.
Indian prime minister is the first foreign leader to visit the island nation after the Easter attacks in which more than 250 people were killed. His visit is considered as a sign of India's affirmation of solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the deadly Easter terror attacks in April.
"PM @narendramodi and President of Sri Lanka @MaithripalaS discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. A banquet was hosted in honour of PM by President @MaithripalaS #Neighbourhoodfirst," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Modi was accorded a ceremonial reception at the President's House. Sri Lankan President Sirisena was seen holding an umbrella and providing cover to himself and Prime Minister Modi from rain.
Earlier, Modi visited a Catholic church - one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday attacks - soon after his arrival in Sri Lanka and paid tributes to the victims of the deadly terror strikes, saying "cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka".
Prime Minister Modi's entourage made a detour to St Anthony's church on their way to the Presidential Secretariat.
"I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka," said Modi, the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter attacks in April.
Modi arrived in Colombo from Maldives where he held wide-ranging talks with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday.