Friday, August 26 2005 18:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Sri Lanka's new Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike today (Aug 26, 2005) apprised Indian leaders about the trouble-hit peace process as the two sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral ties.

On his first mission abroad after assuming office, Bandaranaike, who is on a two-day visit, met External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and exchanged views on how to further strengthen the existing excellent India-Sri Lanka relations.

Bandaranaike, 56, was named Foreign Minister after assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar earlier this month.

The Sri Lankan minister, who is President Chandrika Kumaratunga's brother, shared Colombo's assessment of the post-assassination situation, the status of the ceasefire agreement between Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as also the future of the peace process.

New Delhi has affirmed its support for the process of seeking a comprehensive and negotiated settlement acceptable to all communities and which reflects the pluralistic nature of Sri Lankan society 'within the framework of a united and democratic Sri Lanka'.

India has stressed the need to maintain peace through respect for ceasefire agreement and underpinned the importance to deliver speedy and effective relief and rehabilitation for all the affected people, including in the north-east.

It also underlined the need to find a durable political solution that would keep intact the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and guaranteed the fundamental rights of all individuals.