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2 September 2015 08:24 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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India and Sri Lanka are working to fix the dates for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to make New Delhi his first foreign port of call this month itself.

Sources told Express that there had been exchange of dates for Wickremesinghe’s visit. “It could take place within the next two to three weeks,” said a senior diplomat.This will be the first overseas visit of Wickremesinghe since he was appointed Prime Minister after the surprise win of Maithripala Sirisena in the Presidential elections in January, defeating two-term president Mahinda Rajapaksa. He had never ventured out of Sri Lanka during those eight months. After the UNP-led coalition again scored a victory in last month’s parliamentary polls, Wickremesinghe returned with a stronger mandate.

Indian was quite satisfied with the victory as it put a roadblock in the political comeback of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa – and thereby allowed Colombo to take a more generous position on the reconciliation with Lankan Tamils.

President Sirisena had also chosen India as his first foreign destination in February. Sirisena Government is seen more friendly towards New Delhi as compared to Rajapaksa, whose regime was marked by the enlargement of Chinese footprint in the Indian Ocean nation. The Lankan government had put on hold several large projects granted to Chinese firms.

The main uncertainty in deciding the dates is over the Cabinet formation. Wickremesinghe is now deeply engaged in negotiations with the second largest party -- the Sri Lanka Freedom Party -- over the division of portfolios in the jumbo Cabinet of the National Unity government.

“Obviously, the visit can only take place after the Cabinet is in place,” said another official. The government will also have to take parliamentary approval since the coalition Cabinet will exceed the cap of 30 ministers set in the Constitution. (New Indian Express)

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Comments - 10

Muththa Wednesday, 02 September 2015 10:53 PM

Discuss anything bu not CEPA which will make SL an Indian colony.

Waco Wednesday, 02 September 2015 02:23 PM

He was holding an illegal position during the past eight months.

Waco Wednesday, 02 September 2015 02:26 PM

Now travel the world, doors are open.

Cheers Wednesday, 02 September 2015 02:28 PM

Yes go and give your ass to Indians and come

aja Thursday, 03 September 2015 07:03 PM

Yes now delever the country to Indians thats was the agenda .

lankaman Wednesday, 02 September 2015 02:56 PM

We know RW has a soft spot for India, but pls make sure not to get entangled in Indian rope tricks like CEPA or TN fisherman wanting to fish in SL waters

haris Wednesday, 02 September 2015 03:35 PM

Take a chance

kondaya77 Wednesday, 02 September 2015 09:48 PM

First of many trips.

ANTON Wednesday, 02 September 2015 03:45 PM

I THINK BLUES ARE EAGERLY WAITING TO AUDIT HIS EXPENSES AND COUNT NUMBER OF PARASITES ACCOMPANIED BY HIM. .

Sapu Wednesday, 02 September 2015 04:25 PM

pls point me what is "illegal" in the constitution

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Premier to visit India

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