Sirisena visits India to offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived here Tuesday to offer prayers at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara near here, a temple official said. Accompanied by his wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari and other family members and Lankan officials, Sirisena landed at Renigunta airport, 20 km from here, at noon. Amid tight security, he reached the hills by road, the official told PTI.

The president would take part in the 'Suprabhatha' ritual (recitation of Sanskrit hymns by priests to wake the Lord) and offer prayers to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara in the early hours Wednesday, the official added.