India, Lanka need to implement large developmental projects: President Mukherjee

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, the President said India believes its growth is linked to the prosperity of its neighbourhood.

"India would like to see Sri Lanka utilize the economic growth in India to catalyze its own economic development. This is also India's message to other partners in BIMSTEC," President Mukherjee said.

The President said India and Sri Lanka need to expeditiously implement on the ground some of the large developmental projects that have been under discussion.

He said Indian private sector companies are keen to be partners in Sri Lanka's infrastructure projects.

The President of Sri Lanka warmly reciprocated the President's sentiments and said he was happy that India -Sri Lanka relations has strengthened and a number of high level contacts taken place.

He expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by India in various sectors and said his national unity government was convinced of the need to enhance economic and political ties.