Rajapaksa thanks Modi, Vaiko meets Rajnath,Modi(video)

Colombo/Delhi, 23 May, 2014

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today thanked Narendra Modi for extending an invitation to him to attend his swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

“Thank you for the invitation to attend your swearing-in ceremony. I look forward to being there,” tweeted Rajapaksa, who just returned to Colombo last night after a visit to China.

Other key SAARC leaders, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom have confirmed that they will attend the ceremony in New Delhi on Monday.

Modi will be administered the oath as 15th Prime Minister of India by President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony to be attended by over 3,000 guests.

Vaiko meets Rajnath objecting invitation to Rajpaksa

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko met BJP president Rajnath Singh on Friday and told him that Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s attendance in Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s oath ceremony would be the saddest day for Tamils. Talking to reporters, Vaiko said he has urged Rajnath Singh to discuss the issue with Modi and avoid Rajapaksa’s attendance in the ceremony, due to be held on May 26.

Vaiko later also meets Narendra Modi: