India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to visit Sri Lanka

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is to arrive in Sri Lanka on March 6 (Saturday) on a three day visit on the invitation of the Government, states a media release from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.

Ms. Rao who has served earlier as the High Commissioner for India in Colombofrom 2004-2006, will now be visiting Sri Lankafor the first time after assuming the office of India’s Foreign Secretary on August 1, 2009.

During her stay, she will call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and will meet with other senior government officials.

Ms. Rao is also scheduled to inaugurate the English Language Training Centre in Peradeniya which has been established with the support of the Government of India.

Meanwhile, Rao’s visit comes in the backdrop of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, noting in Parliament that India had stressed to the Sri Lankan government “the necessity� of reaching a political settlement acceptable to all the communities including the Tamils, states ‘The Hindustan Times’ of India, in a Colombo datelined report.

“The government is of the view that the conclusion of the military operations in Sri Lankaprovides an opportunity to make a new beginning and pursue a lasting political settlement in Sri Lanka,� Krishna said in his reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.

Krishna added the way forward lies in a peacefully negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lankaacceptable to all the communities there, including the Tamils.

“The necessity of reaching a political settlement has been stressed to the Sri Lankan government,� he added, further states the report.