President, PM congratulate Sirisena (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday congratulated Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena and expressed the hope that bilateral ties between the two neighbours would be strengthened.

In his message to his counterpart, Mukherjee said: "India and Sri Lanka as neighbours with civilisational ties sharing a common history, cultural heritage, interests and values, have long enjoyed a tradition of close friendship and cooperation."

"I am confident that in the coming years, both countries will continue to work together to further strengthen our bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of both our peoples," the president said.

"Please accept, excellency, my best wishes for the success of your endeavours for peace and development in Sri Lanka and for the progress and prosperity of its people," he said further.

Modi, too, congratulated Sirisena on his "historic victory" and called for "genuine reconciliation" in the island nation.

In a letter to Sirisena, Modi said: "Your historic victory is a tribute to your vision for Sri Lanka (and) your capacity to connect with people's yearning for change."

He said he looked forward to working with Sirisena and "to take our relationship to a new level for the benefit of our people and our region.

"I wish you all the success in building a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka, on foundations of genuine and effective reconciliation," he added.

The prime minister invited Sirisena to visit New Delhi and said he looked forward to receiving him in India.