Colombo : Sri Lankan Minister Milinda Moragoda left for New Delhi today (Jan 23, 2004) to discuss with Indian leaders the island's deepening political crisis, officials said.


Moragoda, who is the Minister of Economic Reforms and a Government peace negotiator, will hold talks with senior officials in Prime Minister Vajpayee's administration, officials said.


He was due to meet External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha tomorrow (Jan 24, 2004) to discuss the political crisis, Indian diplomats said.


Moragoda was also expected to meet National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra on Sri Lanka's peace process, the diplomats added.


The Minister's visit was related to the island's bitter power struggle between President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the stalled peace bid with Tamil Tiger rebels, official sources said.


During his brief stay ending Sunday (Jan 25, 2004), Moragoda will also have talks with the visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who will be attending India's Republic Day celebrations, officials said.


Moragoda has been travelling to Delhi regularly to brief the Government there on developments relating to the peace process with Tiger guerrillas.