External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today inaugurated the new Indian consulate in southern Sri Lankan coastal city of Hambantota, a day after opening the new Indian consulate in Jaffna, which was once the bastion of the LTTE. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Krishna expressed confidence that India will take advantage of the industrial and commercial potential in the region. He asked Indian investors to explore the possibility of investing in southern Sri Lanka for the benefit of the two countries. Mr. Krishna said, India was the first country to arrive with assistance to Sri Lanka during the 2004 tsunami. The Minister added that New Delhi has also taken up the reconstruction of the damaged southern railway corridor from Galle to Matara. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris thanked India for the assistance while taking note of the growing relations between the two countries.