Before the meeting, he had discussed issues of "mutual interest" with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena during a bilateral meeting at the President's Secretariat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he emplanes for Sri Lanka from Male in Maldives/ AFP

Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the incumbent Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition and former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, during his official visit to the nation on Sunday.

Before the meeting, he had discussed issues of "mutual interest" with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena during a bilateral meeting at the President's Secretariat. He also signed the visitor's book at the Secretariat in Sirisena's presence.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Reinforcing partnership. PM @narendramodi and President of Sri Lanka @MaithripalaS discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. A banquet was hosted in honour of PM by President @MaithripalaS #Neighbourhoodfirst," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

24 hours - 2 countries - 15 engagements

PM @narendramodi emplanes for Delhi after a successful visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka, demonstrating our priority to #NeighbourhoodFirst. Seen off by Sri Lankan PM @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/ONmVnlCP18

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 9, 2019

Sirisena was amongst the BIMSTEC leaders who had attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on May 30. The two leaders had also held a bilateral the following day.

Showing India's solidarity with Sri Lanka, Modi is the first world leader to visit the country after the devastating Easter terror attacks, which killed over 250 people and left scores wounded.

The Prime Minister also paid his respects at the St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade, which was amongst the eight locations targetted by terrorists during the terror attacks on April 21.

The Sri Lanka visit is the second-leg of Modi's first overseas bilateral engagement after being sworn-in as the Prime Minister for the second consecutive term, the firts was the Maldives. This shows the importance India attaches to its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

He is now slated to interact with the Indian community in Colombo, before departing for India.

Top Stories 

• Kurla's TikTok star's family, friends unaware of his criminal past

• 8,000 hectares of mangroves destroyed, creeks blocked, highrises up on marshland in Uran

• Sudhir Mishra wants to be known beyond Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi

• Ayushmann Khurrana: I approach directors myself

• World Cup 2019: Rohit Sharma stresses on playing well against Australia

• Mumbai Crime: Women dies in sleep, child critical after oil tanker dashes another at Vikhroli

• Kareena Kapoor shares selfie from Tuscany; gets trolled for looking 'old'

• SSC 10th result 2019: Pass percentage across Maharashtra show 12.3 pc drop

• World Cup 2019: Will Ajay Jadeja stay as India's lone WC centurion v Australia?

• Juhu residents demand proposed Mumbai DP road to ease traffic

• Joe Jonas-Sophie Turner Vegas wedding: Parents as clueless as fans

• Digangana Suryavanshi: I cannot take prompting

• Jada Smith on her marriage: There have been betrayals of the heart

• SSC results 2019: Ragpicker's daughter gets 85 percent

• Despite change of location, Smart and Hollywood's legacy continues

• Comic book aims to encourage parents have a healthy discussion on sex with kids

• Napean Sea Road siblings bring piano back

• Why do we love a fleabag? Mumbai fangirls reveal

• Iqbal Kaskar to move an application against Thane prison authorities
• Billy Porter owes his wings to India
• Jada Smith on her marriage: There have been betrayals of the heart
• Jennifer Lopez starts her new tour
• Isa Guha: England is the worst for misogynist remarks
• Sea-faring Kaundinya
• World Cup 2019: Time to put MS Dhoni controversy behind
• Shibani Dandekar drools over Disha Patani's hot photo; check post
• She's got a ticket to ride
• Mind your language!
• World Cup 2019: Rohit Sharma stresses on playing well against Australia
• World Cup 2019: Will Ajay Jadeja stay as India's lone WC centurion v Australia?
• Water activist Aabid Surti: Save water or drop dead
• Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier
• Randeep Hooda feels rediscovered as an artiste

• Filmmaker discusses why Mirabai is a role model for women

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get the latest updates

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!