President Maithripala Sirisena left this afternoon on a three-day visit to India on an invitation extended by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his stay in India, President Sirisena is expected meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi. The President is also scheduled to meet several political leaders and other dignitaries. This is the first overseas visit by President Sirisena after assumption of office last month. Path to his visit was paved during the early discussions between Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Sri Lankan counterpart Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who visited New Delhi on January 18 as his first outside visit after assuming the post. In accordance with the usual practice for state visits, the Sri Lankan President will be given a ceremonial welcome by the Indian President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will have meetings with Indian President, Prime Ministera and several other political leaders and will be hosted for a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Sirisena is also expected to undertake visits to places of religious importance..