Indian Foreign Secretary to arrive in Sri Lanka today

Indian Foreign Secretary Ms. Nirupama Rao is to arrive in Sri Lanka Saturday to discuss the issue of fishermen killing by Sri Lankan Navy with the government.


Indian Foreign Secretary's visit is reportedly made on a directive from the Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna.

Rao is to have discussions with the President Mahinda Rajapaksas, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris and other government officials.

Sri Lanka's state-owned Sinhala daily The Dinamina stated that the talks with the Indian Foreign Secretary would focus on the alleged killings of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka Navy, the attack on Mahabodhi temple and the India-funded development work in Sri Lanka.

India's Tamil Nadu politicians allege that two Indian fishermen were killed in two separate incidents within a fortnight by the Sri Lankan navy personnel.

India strongly condemned the killing and requested the Sri Lankan government to seriously investigate the incident.

Sri Lanka have denied that its Navy personnel attacked the Indian fisherman at sea and raised the suspicion that an unknown 'third party' may have been involved in the attacks to hurt the existing friendly ties between the two countries.