Indian Foreign Secretary arrives in Colombo

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 April 2005, 12:58 GMT]
Mr.Shyam Saran, Indian Foreign Secretary arrived in Colombo on a four-day visit Friday. He is scheduled to meet the Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar and several Sri Lankan government officials. Ms Neelan Deo, Joint Secretary of the Indian Foreign Ministry and several officials also accompanied him, diplomatic sources in Colombo said.

Mr.Shyam Saran first paid a visit to Trincomalee Saturday morning. Later he would go to Kandy and pay homage to Dalada Maligawa. He is scheduled to meet Mr.Monty Gopallwa, Governor of Central Province. Thereafter he will visit Sigiriya, Dambulla and Anuradhapura on his way to Colombo, sources said.

Mr.Saran is expected to discuss with his counterpart and other foreign ministry officials in Sri Lanka several issues including controversial Sedusamudram canal project and the proposed Indo-Sri Lanka Defence Pact, Colombo government sources said.