Krishna to visit Sri Lanka to review progress of bilateral projects

NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna will undertake a four-day visit to Sri Lanka beginning on Thursday, where he will participate in the seventh India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting to review the progress of bilateral projects between the two nations.

During his visit, Krishna will call on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister DM Jayaratne on November 26, followed by co-chairing the seventh India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting along with his Sri Lankan counterpart.

The visiting Minister will leave for Hambantota later in the day, where he would be inaugurating the new Consulate General of India.

Krishna leaves for Jaffna on November 27, where he would first inaugurate the new Consulate General of India in Jaffna and then participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the pilot project to construct 1,000 housing units.

Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa had earlier paid a state visit to India in June 2010, when a Joint Declaration was adopted, outlining a roadmap for infusing greater vigour, greater content in our relationship.

It was decided during President Rajapaksa’s visit in June 2010 that India would be constructing 50,000 housing units for assisting the IDPs.

Krishna will later leave for Medawachchiya on November 27, where he would be inaugurating the railway project.

India and Sri Lanka share a common cultural and civilisational heritage.

The Sri Lankan President had also visited India last month to attend the closing ceremony of the recently held XIXth Commonwealth Games.

During his visit, he also had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, where they reviewed all aspects of the relationship.

Krishna would return to New Delhi on November 28. (ANI)