Colombo, Jan 29 (IANS): Sri Lanka's newly-elected government Thursday said it would further strengthen its ties with China and India in order to develop the island nation and make the country free from corruption.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that as the government's objective was to take their prevailing relationship with India and China to "higher levels", it would also make use of these relationship for the development of the country.

"Similar to the steps being taken by the leaders of these two countries, the Sri Lankan government will also make every effort to make Sri Lanka a country devoid of corruption," Xinhua news agency quoted the minister as saying.

The minister held talks with Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha and Chinese Ambassador Wu Jinhao in Colombo Tuesday evening during which a wide rang of issues among the countries were discussed.

The meetings were held after Maithripala Sirisena won the Jan 8 presidential elections in the island nation.