SL President and Indian PM discuss peace process and security situation
 

Bandula Jayasekara in New Delhi

President Mahinda Rajapakse and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh discussed the Sri Lankan peace process, the security and political situation, the Ceasefire Agreement between the government and the LTTE and economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka when they met yesterday.

The two leaders held one to one discussions for nearly an hour before the members of their delegations joined them.

The talks which were held at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi were described as fruitful. India and Sri Lanka will issue a joint statement later on the discussions.

President Rajapakse is on a four-day State visit to India, his first as the President of Sri Lanka. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told the 'Daily News' that the two leaders reviewed the political relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.

They discussed ways to strengthen the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and also the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The projects discussed were the Infrastructure Development Project and the Power Plant Project in Trincomalee, Modernization and Development of the Colombo-Matara Railway Line, software Park Project and the construction of the Hatton-Dickoya hospital.

The Indian delegation comprised of Defence Minister Pranab Mukerjee, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, National Security Advisor N.K. Narayan, State Minister for External Affairs E. Ahammed, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and High Commissioner to India in Sri Lanka Nirupama Rao.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Ministers A. H. M. Fowzie, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Ferial Ashraff, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse, Finance Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundara and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in India Romesh Jayasinghe.

Earlier in the day President Mahinda Rajapakse and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse were ceremonially welcomed at the Forecourt of Rashtrapathi Bhawan in a grand ceremony. Thereafter he was introduced to the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders by President Dr. Abdul Kalam.

During a brief interaction with the media after the ceremonial welcome, President Rajapakse said "India is our closest neighbour and it is very important for me to have India involved in the peace process in Sri Lanka". The President also made a floral tribute at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi in Rajghat.