Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena to visit India at the earliest opportunity.

The official Spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin said at the press briefing yesterday that India is proud of Sri Lanka's democratic process and India's leader was among the first to congratulate about island nation's elections.

"India and Sri Lanka are close neighbors. Sri Lanka has a tradition of democratic change and we as their neighbor are proud of this tradition as a democracy. So this morning when Sri Lanka voted for a change yesterday and the results started trickling out, our leadership was amongst the first to congratulate Sri Lanka about the conclusion of their democratic exercise," Akbaruddin said.

India's High Commissioner was the first foreign envoy to call on the new President. Responding to questions about future of India-Sri Lanka relations with a new government in Colombo, the spokesperson said the Prime Minister Modi has assured of India's cooperation for warm relations with Sri Lanka.

He said the PM first called up the President-elect and subsequently has also written a letter to the President-elect about the warm relations that exist between India and Sri Lanka.

"He has wished him success. He has assured him of India's cooperation and he has also invited him to visit India at the earliest opportunity. This is symbolic of our relationship with our close neighbor Sri Lanka," the Spokesperson said.

Maldives President:

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom also in a congratulatory message to President Sirisena has invited him for a state visit to exchange views in "taking our relationship forward."

"On behalf of the people and the Government of Maldives I wish to convey my sincere congratulations to you on your victory in the Presidential election held yesterday in Sri Lanka," Maldivian leader said in his message.

He said through the election, Sri Lankans have demonstrated yet again the strength of the country’s democracy and the resilience of its institutions.

"The election result is a testament to the trust and confidence that Sri Lankans have on your policies, your leadership, and on your commitment to the advancement of Sri Lanka," Yameen said.

"I look forward to working closely with you in further expanding the enduring ties of friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Let me take this opportunity to invite you to make a State Visit to the Maldives at your earliest convenience. Such a visit would give us the opportunity to exchange views in taking our relationship forward."

"The people of the Maldives join me in wishing you success in your endeavor to bring prosperity and advancement to Sri Lanka."

Source: www.priu.gov.lk