Lankan president’s visit to strengthen ties: India

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s two-day visit to India will further cement bilateral relations, the external affairs ministry has said.“We are confident that his visit will contribute to further strengthening the close and cooperative relations between India and Sri Lanka,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swaroop said in a release.Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to host a dinner in Sirisena’s honour yesterday.Sirisena is scheduled to address the valedictory session at the Vaicharik Mahakumbh being held as part of the Simhastha Mahakumbh in Ujjain in Madhaya Pradesh today.He will also go to Sanchi for a visit to the Sanchi Stupa and attend a function by the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, during which he will unveil a statue of Angarika Dharmapala, the release said.