Ravi meets Modi

Visiting Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday, Indian news agencies reported.

The Prime Minister recalled his productive and memorable visit to Sri Lanka on occasion of the International Vesak Day last month. He congratulated Mr Karunanayake on taking over his new responsibility as Foreign Minister.

Prime Minister further conveyed condolences on the loss of lives and destruction caused by the recent floods and landslides in Sri Lanka. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to continue assisting Sri Lanka in this regard.

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake thanked Prime Minister for quick Indian assistance in the aftermath of the floods and landslides. He conveyed the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to continue strengthening the close partnership with India.

In their meeting, both Ms Swaraj and Mr Karunanayake deliberated upon a number of key issues besides reviewing the overall bilateral ties, officials said.

Both India and Sri Lanka have been holding a series of meetings in the last few months to resolve the fishermen issue. The issue is known to have figured in the talks.

India has been maintaining that it was looking at getting into the root of the problem and find a permanent solution to the issue.