By Kelum Bandara 

The official lunch that was on the schedule to be hosted for Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris by his Indian counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar has been cancelled since India has declared a two-day “state mourning” on the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, official sources said. 

India has stopped all forms of such official celebrations as a mark of respect for the singer who died yesterday. An informed source said the official lunch for Prof. Peiris would not take place as a result. 

The Minister is on a two-day visit to India. However, all the official meetings with his counterpart and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will take place as planned.