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Lanka to assure India over China, Pakistan ties
By Shimali Senanayake
A team of senior Government officials are scheduled to visit India next week, just days after President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Pakistan, Presidential sources said.

The delegation is set to leave on April 6, and will comprise of Foreign Secretary H. S. Palihakkara, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundere and Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Dr. John Gooneratne.

The trip takes place on the heels of President Rajapaksa's visit to Pakistan and an earlier visit by Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary to China, the officials said.
The sources said India had raised concerns over Sri Lanka's seemingly increased ties with Pakistan and China, and the visit is to reassure India and water-down its concerns.

The delegation is scheduled to meet India's Defence Secretary, National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary during the brief two-day visit.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves for New Delhi today for meetings with Indian government leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Opposition Leader Lal Advani and former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee

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