President of India’s Message on the Eve of 67th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the eve of the 67th Anniversary of Independence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (February 4, 2015).

In his message toH. E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the President has said, "On behalf of the Government and the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to extend to Your Excellency and to the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of the 67thAnniversary of your Independence.

India and Sri Lanka are close neighbours with a long standing relationship of friendship and cooperation based on shared linguistic, religious and cultural traditions. These ties have matured over time to embrace all areas of contemporary significance. I am confident that our traditional bonds will expand and flourish to our mutual benefit in the years to come.

Please accept, Excellency, our best wishes for the continued prosperity and well-being of the friendly people of Sri Lanka under your leadership”.

This Press Release issued at 1800 hrs.