04 November 2004	Thursday	20 Ramazan 1425

New Delhi, Nov 3: Sri Lanka President Chandrika Badaranaike Kumaratunga will be on a working visit to India this week amid reports that the two countries are planning to sign a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement, official sources said.

India Army Chief General N.C. Vij left for Sri Lanka on Monday morning for high-level talks with the Defence top brass there -- as a precursor to the pact, expected to be signed later this month, Indian news reports said.

Gen Vij is expected to hold talks with Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt-Gen Shantha Kottegoda and other top political and defence officials. He was to visit Sri Lankan military facilities on Tuesday.

President Kumaratunga had visited India during the last days of the previous administration in April. On her tour she is being accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Power and Energy Minister Sushil Premaajayantha.