Thursday, June 2 2005 13:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga arrived in New Delhi today (Jun 2, 2005) on a three-day visit, which is expected to cement the friendly and close relations between the two countries.

She was warmly received by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

During her stay in New Delhi, Kumaratunga will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the entire gamut of bilateral relations covering developments in Sri Lanka and India.

She will also meet United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

The two countries have been having frequent exchanges of high-level visits, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said ahead of the visit.

Describing Sri Lanka as a "very close and important neighbour", Sarna said there is no fixed agenda of talks between Kumaratunga and Singh but issues of mutual interest are expected to figure in the discussions.