Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapakse became the first international dignitary to visit Puttaparthy when he landed in the spiritual town this morning and paid his last respects to the mortal remains of the world famous spiritual leader Sri Satya Sai Baba who passed away on Sunday morning.

Among the other VIPs who visited the mortal remains of the Baba this morning and paid their respects are the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and Viswa Hindu Parishad Chief Ashok Singhal.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and congress president Sonia Gandhi are expected to arrive in Puttaparthy around 4 .30 PM and they will be received at the Satya Sai airport by the chief minister Kirankumar Reddy and Governor ESL Narasimhan.