As India pushes for the rupee to be the international currency, Sri Lanka would want to see the Indian Rupee used as much as the US dollar, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, days ahead of his first official visit to New Delhi. President Wickremesinghe, also Sri Lanka's finance minister, made this remark while addressing the Indian CEO Forum this week.

"Just as the entire East Asia, including countries like Japan, Korea and China, witnessed significant growth 75 years ago, it is now India's turn, along with the Indian Ocean region," President Wickremesinghe said.

President Wickremesinghe is expected to visit New Delhi next week, his first since becoming president a year ago amidst unprecedented economic and political turmoil in the island nation. 

"The world is evolving and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modi's leadership", he added.

He also said that Sri Lanka benefits from its proximity to India, coupled with a rich history, cultural heritage and longstanding trading relationships spanning 2,500 years, The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted him as saying.

As India pushes for the rupee to be the international currency, Sri Lanka would want to see the Indian Rupee used as much as the US dollar, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, days ahead of his first official visit to New Delhi. President Wickremesinghe, also Sri Lanka's finance minister, made this remark while addressing the Indian CEO Forum this week.

"Just as the entire East Asia, including countries like Japan, Korea and China, witnessed significant growth 75 years ago, it is now India's turn, along with the Indian Ocean region," President Wickremesinghe said.

President Wickremesinghe is expected to visit New Delhi next week, his first since becoming president a year ago amidst unprecedented economic and political turmoil in the island nation. 

"The world is evolving and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modi's leadership", he added.

He also said that Sri Lanka benefits from its proximity to India, coupled with a rich history, cultural heritage and longstanding trading relationships spanning 2,500 years, The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted him as saying.