Lanka keen to boost economic ties with India: Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka is looking forward to strengthen economic cooperation with India, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, noting that development of strategic eastern port town of Trincomalee will be discussed during his visit to the country next week. Wickremesinghe will arrive in New Delhi on April 25 on a five-day visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tofurther expand ties in a range of areas. Addressing reporters in the central town of Kandy, Wickremesinghe said he was looking forward to strengthen economic cooperation with India.

He said the development of eastern port district of Trincomalee will be discussed during the visit. "We have plans for an Indian LNG plant in Trincomalee. That could also be a joint venture with Japan," the Prime Minister said. India and Sri Lanka will jointly operate the oil storage facility at the strategic eastern port town of Trincomalee.