“India had announced special financial assistance to Sri Lanka to counter-terrorism after holding talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa when he visited New Delhi last year. As a Foreign Minister, I came here to consolidate and strengthen Sri Lanka-India relations,” he said.Minister Gunawardena also held meetings with External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and other government officials.

The visiting dignitary said that discussions have been “cordial and fruitful”.“The discussions have been very cordial and fruitful. Indeed, we are very much satisfied with the output and India-Sri Lanka relations will be strengthened furthermore as we go along,” he said.

Earlier on Friday, Gunawardena paid a visit to a Buddhist temple near Birla Mandir here.This is Gunawardena’s first official visit after taking over as Foreign Affairs Minister last November following the formation of the new government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. – Deccan Chronicle