His Excellency Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 16, 2015).

Welcoming Mr. Wickremesinghe, the President said he is delighted to receive him in New Delhi as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He congratulated Mr. Wickremesinghe on his victory in the general elections held in August this year. The President said the return to office by Mr. Wickremesinghe reflects the faith the people of Sri Lanka have reposed in his leadership and party.

The President said history, culture and geographical proximity have ensured that relations between India and Sri Lanka are very special. He expressed the hope that Mr. Wickremesinghe’s tenure will be highly successful and bilateral relations will scale new heights.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister warmly reciprocated the President’s sentiments and said he looks forward to close cooperation with India in the coming days.

This release issued at 1530 hrs.