Indian Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj has said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Indian External Affairs Ministry have invited President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit India to attend a Buddhist cultural event in Madhya Pradesh later this month, India Today reported.

Under fire for agreeing to host President Rajapaksa in her constituency, Ms. Swaraj who a day later had distanced herself from his visit blamed it on Dr. Singh and the MEA.

“The invitation to Rajapaksa was sent by the prime minister, not by the opposition leader. I have not invited him. Opposition Leader cannot invite anybody (head of the state) to the country. His itinerary has been finalised by the Premier and MEA," Ms. Swaraj said.