Sri Lankan President Dissanayake will visit India, his first foreign trip will begin on December 15

Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is going to visit India on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that Sri Lankan President Dissanayake will visit India on a state visit on December 15 on a 3-day tour. During his visit, he will meet President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing his weekly media briefing today, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that this will be President Disanayake's first visit to India after the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka. He said that President Dissanayake will also participate in a business event in Delhi. This is also his first foreign visit after becoming the President.
Disanayake will also visit Bodh Gaya
The spokesperson said, "During his visit to New Delhi, President Dissanayake will meet President Murmu and will also discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest with PM Modi. He will also visit Bodh Gaya during his visit to India. He said, "President Dissanayake's visit to India will further strengthen the multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries."
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its statement, “Sri Lanka is India's closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds an important position under PM Modi's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.”
Jaishankar has met Dissanayake
Earlier in early October, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met President Dissanayake during his visit to Colombo. The two leaders had a long discussion on ways to deepen cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations for the benefit of the people of India and Sri Lanka.
During this meeting, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar conveyed warm wishes sent by PM Modi and President Draupadi Murmu to President Dissanayake. He was elected President in the elections held in September.