The top Indian diplomat was received by officials of Sri Lanka's external affairs ministry and Indian High Commission at the Colombo air port, officials said.The Foreign Secretary was expected to discuss the killings of two Indian fishermen mid sea earlier this month that has sparked a row between the two neighbours.
She is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapksha tomorrow to convey New Delhi's concern over the killing of fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy.The government and the Lankan navy have already denied involvement in the death of the fishermen.
Rao also expected to have talks with External Affairs minister Prof G L Peiris.
Reflecting the political sensitivities in Tamil Nadu, India has already reacted very strongly to the incidents in which two Indian fishermen were killed in the span of one month, notwithstanding Lankan government's claim that its navy was not involved.
Rao's visit will help to iron out the issues with regard to the row over Indian fishermen issue and discuss measures to protect the Mahabodhi Centre in Chennai and Sri Lankan pilgrims to Budh Gaya, Romesh Jayasinghe, Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry here was quoted as saying in the state-run Sunday Observer today.Three Buddhist monks, including a Nepalese, were injured in an attack on Sri Lankan Mahabodhi centre in Chennai last week.
"The two countries enjoy close bi-lateral ties and senior officials of Sri Lanka and India can meet at short notice whenever there are urgent matters to be discussed," Jayasinghe said