COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka next week for an official visit, as Tamil-speaking political parties seek to strengthen coordination ahead of renewed engagement with New Delhi, according to people familiar with the plans.
Mr. Misri is expected to meet Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister and other senior government officials, as well as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and representatives of Tamil nationalist and up-country Tamil political parties, the sources said.
The visit follows an emerging effort by six Tamil-speaking political parties to coordinate on issues of common concern while retaining their individual identities and political positions. The parties have agreed to work together where consensus can be reached, with a focus on advancing the interests of Tamil-speaking communities.
Representatives of the six parties are expected to meet Mr. Misri collectively during his visit, according to the sources.
Ahead of that meeting, people familiar with the matter told Jaffna Monitor that representatives of the six parties are scheduled to meet with India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, on Tuesday. Preparations for Mr. Misri's visit are expected to be among the topics on the agenda, the people said.
