Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Sri Lanka and looks forward to taking the ties to new heights as he received former President Chandrika Kumaratunga in Delhi.

Kumaratunga, who is in New Delhi to attend the ongoing international conference 'Samvad - Global Hindu-Buddhist Initiative on conflict avoidance and environment consciousness', discussed with Modi the bilateral issues as well as developments in her country.

Modi deeply appreciated the leadership role played by Kumaratunga in the country and in strengthening relations between India and Sri Lanka, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said.

He expressed confidence that she would continue to play an important role in Sri Lanka to move towards genuine reconciliation and social harmony where the aspirations of all the communities would be met within the framework of united Sri Lanka, it added.

The Prime Minister reiterated that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Sri Lanka, the statement said.

Noting that the two countries enjoy deep and enduring links of kinship, history and culture, he said he looks forward to continue to working closely with the Sri Lankan President and the Prime Minister to take the relationship to new heights.

He also welcomed the successful holding of parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka in a peaceful and participative manner as reflective of the strength of democracy in the country, the statement said.

Indo-Lanka relations have markedly improved following the Presidential Election victory of Maithripala Sirisena in January this year.

(With inputs from Outlook)