President Sirisena, PM Modi hold talks :

Focus on increasing investments, fishermen issue

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the need to develop a mechanism to find a permanent solution to the issue of fishermen straying into each others waters, during the symbolic visit by the Sri Lankan leader to attend one of the most holiest Hindu festivals in India, Simhastha-Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

Indian Premier said Sri Lankan President’s visit to the ceremony was very significant as it showed the deep civilisational ties between the two countries, local media reported.

Simhastha Kumbh Mela is one of world’s largest spiritual gatherings held once in 12 years. Thousands of devotees, including hundreds of sadhus in saffron colour robes, take a dip in river Kishipra during the ceremony.

On Friday evening the Indian leader hosted President Sirisena to a working dinner at Hyderabad House where the issue of fishermen, joint economic projects and steps to further increase trade and investment were discussed at length, the PTI reported.

The President also attended the opening of a three-day international conference titled ‘Living the Right Way’ on the sidelines of Simhastha-Kumbh mela.

He joined in releasing 51-point ‘Simhastha Declaration’ with Premier Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan. The Indian Premier has said global warming and terrorism has become the world’s biggest concerns while emphasising that the attitude of ‘my way is better than yours’ and ‘expansionism’ are creating more conflicts in the world.

The three-day conference on the sidelines of the event discusses issues such as global warming, hazards of chemical farming, benefits of organic farming and women empowerment.

President Sirisena was also scheduled to unveil a statue of Anagarika Dharmapala in Sanchi to commemorate the unparalleled services rendered by Anagarika Dharmapala to the revival of Buddhism in India and was due to worship the sacred Relics of the Arahats Sariputta and Mogallana and subsequently participate in the Pirikara Pooja at the Chethiyagiri Vihara in Sanchi with the religious observances conducted by Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera, President of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka. Spekaer Karu Jayasuriya, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan were due to participate in this ceremony.