Dhaka: Mahindra Rajapakse, the Sri Lankan President will be on a three-day visit to Burma this month to boost bilateral ties between the two countries, government sources said.

The visit is a first by the Sri Lankan President abroad after the Sri Lankan Army eliminated the Tamil Tigers guerrilla force in May 2009. Both countries have been facing long-term insurgency, after independence from the British.

President Rajapakse said yesterday that both countries had shared common platforms at many regional and international forums. The message was conveyed by the President to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Burma.

During his visit, President Rajapakse will inaugurate a village rebuilt after the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008. A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk raised the funds for re-construction of the houses.

“My visit to the Union of Myanmar this month and the numerous other activities proposed in our two countries as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations will further consolidate our bilateral relations,” President Rajapakse said.