India keen on investing in Sri Lanka: Anand Sharma

India today said it was keen to invest in the development of war-torn Sri Lanka in a big way, for which it promised to rope in private players in sectors like ports and exploration of oil and gas.

Commerce minister Anand Sharma, who is in Sri Lanka on an official visit, also reaffirmed India's commitment to building infrastructure and institutions in the neighbouring country during his talks with the country's leadership in Colombo.

Sharma also called for reviewing of bilateral ties by both countries with reference to rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced Tamil civilians.

"Sri Lanka government is appreciative of India's solidarity and ongoing efforts to rebuild areas which were destroyed in conflict and in rehabilitation of people," Sharma told reporters here.

India has been involved in several developmental projects in Sri Lanka as part of its efforts to rebuild the country following the end of the civil war in 2009. India was also building around 50,000 houses for displaced civilians in Tamil-dominated Northern Province.

According to Sharma, Indian companies would be more than wiling to upgrade ports in Sri Lanka.