President Maithripala Sirisena will travel to New Delhi next month on his first State visit abroad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Mr. Sirisena when he called to congratulate the latter on his election victory on Friday.  Sri Lanka also plans to release soon 15 Indian fishermen in its custody while a  policy decision will be taken by the new government on returning the trawlerse  said  Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Sri Lanka’s relations with India are set to improve because the new government recognised the importance of having India on its side, Mr. Senaratne said at a press conference on Saturday.

 

He also drew parallels between the modest backgrounds of Mr. Sirisena and Mr. Modi to emphasise the point that the new government was giving top priority to its relations with India.