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President Mahinda Rajapakse will lead a high powered delegation in his first official visit to India on Tuesday after assuming office. He is expected to have discussions with Indian leaders on bilateral issues including the enhancement of economic, political and cultural relations between the two neighbours.

He is also expected to brief the Indian leaders on the political developments in Sri Lanka in order to further strengthen the peace process and normalise the present unrest in the north.

In addition to government leaders President Rajapakse will also meet political leaders including Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi. Of special concern will be the meeting between President Rajapakse and Chief Minister Jeyalalitha of Tamil Nadu.

The Sri Lankan delegation is scheduled to discuss comprehensive economic co-operation and investment promotion between the two countries. They will meet a high powered 19 member delegation of Indian business tycoons to promote investments between the two nations.

The Sri Lankan delegation will meet Chairmen and Managing Directors of Ashok Leyland, TATA, Hero Honda, Hindustan Construction Corporation, South Asian Petro Chemicals, Reliance Industries, Indian Tobacco, Mahendra, etc targeting major Indian trust to expand the Sri Lankan economic base.

Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has targetted US $ 1 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI} for the year 2006. Sri Lanka's current FDI stands at US$ 110 million a year.

This tour aims to attract a major portion of FDI from Indian companies getting more Indian companies to relocate their businesses in Sri Lanka.

Railways, Transport, Petroleum and Petroleum Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie will discuss with his counterparts a project to construct a double railway track on Colombo- Matara line from Aluthgama to Matara and strengthen the single railway track to run speed trains on Colombo -Galle railway line.

Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Marketing Development and Highways Minister Jeyeraj Fernandopulle, Housing Construction Minister Ferial Ashraff, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera, Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana and Health Deputy Minister Vadivel Suresh will also participate in the delegation.

(JSN)

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