NSA to meet President, common Opposition leaders in Sri Lanka

Ajit Doval
TOPICS
diplomacy
India-Sri Lanka

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, who will be in Sri Lanka on Monday, will meet top leaders of the newly-formed common Opposition platform, in addition to meeting President Mahinda Rajpaksa, The Hindu learns from political sources in Colombo.

Mr. Doval is on Monday scheduled to deliver the keynote address at ‘Galle Dialogue 2014,’ an international conference on maritime security and cooperation in the coastal town of Galle in southern Sri Lanka.

The President’s office confirmed that the NSA was scheduled to meet Mr. Rajapaksa. In his meeting with the President and Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Mr. Doval is expected to discuss maritime security in Sri Lanka and Maldives. China's increasing role in the island may also be raised. Just over a month ago, the NSA met President’s brother and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in New Delhi, to convey India’s serious concerns over China’s growing military presence in the island. According to political sources Mr. Doval, during his visit, is expected to meet Maithripala Sirisena, who recently defected from Mr. Rajapaksa’s ruling party to be named common Opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who is backing him. He will also meet leaders of the United National Party — the main Opposition party that has joined the common platform — the Tamil National Alliance and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress .