Colombo: The Sri Lankan Parliament on October 23 agreed to debate Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's latest visit to India amid moves to step up economic and Defence co-operation between the two neighbours.

The government agreed to debate the Premier's visit as the main Opposition queries a three-page statement by Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando spelling out the outcome of the two-day visit.

"Party leaders will have to meet now to decide on a date for the debate," a Parliamentary official said, adding that the government appeared keen to have a debate to have another opportunity to trumpet its gains from the visit.

Foreign Minister Fernando said Sri Lanka considered its relations with India as one of the main cornerstones of the island's foreign, economic and national security policy.

"The government also considers India to be an integral part of our peace process," the minister told the Assembly. "As such, the Prime Minister himself personally or through senior members of the Cabinet has consulted and kept India informed of developments relating to the peace process."

"The relations between our two countries have reached a stage where the two governments describe this relationship as a model."

Both countries agreed to upgrade their free trade agreement to a comprehensive economic partnership accord and start talks on a Defence co-operation pact.

PTI