It is still unclear whether SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa will meet PM Narendra Modi during the UN General Assembly session at New York later this month.

A meeting was said to be likely at the open-ended meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government on the sidelines of the General Assembly Meeting. The open-ended meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth is expected to discuss CHOGM reform and the post-2015 development agenda. As the chairman of CHOGM, Rajapaksa will chair the session.

However, there is doubt as to whether Modi will attend it. He is to address the General Assembly in New York on September 27 and is to meet President Barack Obama at Washington on September 29 and 30. Therefore, Indian media reports that Modi is expected to arrive in US on September 26, thereby skipping the New York CHOGM.

It is still not clear as to how long President Rajapaksa will be in the US. He is expected to address the General Assembly on September 25.

In a recent interview with The Hundu, President Rajapaksa expressed hope of a meeting with Modi. “I think if he is able to, and we can find the time in our schedules, I would hope to meet him.”

Rajapaksa also added that he is positive of a good relationship with Modi government. “I think our chemistry is good. He is a very strong leader and has won a big majority. I think we can deal very well, this is what I feel.” the Sri Lankan President had told The Hindu.