President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in New Delhi today. President Sirisena was received on arrival by the Indian Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Esala Weerakoon, and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, India.

President Sirisena met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi at a working dinner. The cordial and constructive discussions centered on bilateral relations focusing on consistent efforts to promote economic, trade, cultural and people to people links in a mutually beneficial manner. The President then proceeded to attend a Reception hosted by the India Foundation at which senior political leaders, former diplomats and eminent academics were present.

 President Sirisena will preside over the Valedictory Session of the International Convention organized by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh on 14^th May 2016, in connection with Holy Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.  Prime Minister Modi will also address this Session.

 President Sirisena is also scheduled to unveil a Statue of Anagarika Dharmapala in Sanchi to commemorate the unparalleled services rendered by Anagarika Dharmapala to the revival of Buddhism in India. He will worship the sacred Relics of the Arahats Sariputta and Mogallana and subsequently participate in the Pirikara Pooja at the Chethiyagiri Vihara in Sanchi with the religious observances conducted by Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thero, President of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka. This solemn religious ceremony will also be attended by Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and Shivraj Singh Chauhan Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

 President Sirisena is scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka in the evening of 14^th May.

Sri Lanka High Commission

New Delhi

13^th May 2016