Lankan Foreign Minister arrives on first foreign visit

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera arrived here today on his first foreign visit after assuming office during which he will hold discussions with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj tomorrow.
Significantly, ahead of his visit, Sri Lanka yesterday released 15 Indian fishermen, leaving none in their custody. The fishermen issue is a very emotive matter between the two countries.
Swaraj had extended an invite to her Sri Lankan counterpart immediately after the new cabinet of President Maithripala Sirisena took charge.
It is the first high-level visit between India and Sri Lanka since Sirisena came to power January 8 after defeating Mahinda Rajapaksa.

During their talks tomorrow, agenda for the Summit meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sirisena, who is expected to visit India next month, will be discussed.
A spokesperson for Sri Lanka government has already announced that India would be Sirisena's maiden foreign visit destination next month.
"Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi asked the President to visit India and wanted the visit to take place this month itself. But he (Sirisena) said this month may not be possible because he is still settling down, but early next month is ok," Lankan government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne had said.
Samaraweera will call on Modi on Monday before returning.