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IAF chief meets Rajapakse

V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO: Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi on Tuesday met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and senior defence officials as part of his three-day official visit to the island-nation.

Officials said the Chief of the Indian Air Force held "cordial and friendly discussions" with Mr. Rajapakse, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and heads of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

He also met the Chief of the Defence Staff, Daya Sandagiri, and Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse.

The Air Chief is scheduled to travel to Anuradhapura and Kandy on Wednesday after which he will leave for New Delhi on February 3. Officials said Air Chief Marshal Tyagi was on a "goodwill visit" to Sri Lanka.

Separately, India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday held discussions to further enhance cooperation in fisheries. Among the issues discussed were the humane treatment of straying fishermen and technical cooperation and investment in fisheries.

"India expressed appreciation for the treatment meted out to fishermen who strayed into Sri Lankan waters," sources said.

The allegations of firing by the Sri Lanka Navy on straying Indian fishermen were discussed. The bilateral understanding on humane treatment of straying fishermen would be adhered to, the sources said.

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