President AKD to visit New Delhi as his first overseas visit

• First overseas visit likely after November Parliamentary election
• Jaishankar to become first high-ranking foreign dignitary to visit SL
• Focus on Indian-funded projects during Jaishankar’s visit to SL 

By JAMILA HUSAIN  

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns.  

Jaishankar is the first high ranking foreign dignitary to visit Dissanayake after he won the Presidential Election on September 21.  

The Indian High Commission in a statement said that in keeping with India’s neighbourhood first policy and SAGAR outlook, Jaishankar’s visit underlines the shared commitment of the two countries to further deepen the longstanding partnership for mutual benefit.  

Sources said that during the visit, Jaishankar is also expected to discuss the Indian funded projects in Sri Lanka and its path forward. The visiting Minister will then extend an official visit to President Dissanayake to visit New Delhi for discussions, as has been the norm with previous Sri Lankan leaderships.  

It is learnt that Dissanayake will uphold this norm by the previous presidents by visiting New Delhi first.  

Although the dates are yet to be finalized, the President’s first overseas visit will be after the conclusion of the November 14 Parliamentary Election.