PM’s Indian visit includes Devananda and Thondaman

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

Eelam People’s Democratic Party Leader Douglas Devananda and Ceylon Workers’ Congress Leader Arumugam Thondaman will accompany Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on an official visit to India later this week, government sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.   

The delegation led by Prime Minister Rajapaksa, will comprise of 10 members including UPFA MP Prasanna Ranaweera, Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and Treasury Secretary 
S. R. Attygalle.   

During his visit, Prime Minister Rajapaksa will hold high level discussions with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.   

A press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said that talks will concentrate on politics, trade, development, defence, culture and tourism. No MoUs will be signed during the visit.   
Prime Minister Rajapaksa, along with his delegation will then visit Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya and Tirupati.