Colombo/New Delhi, Oct 5 (FN Bureau) Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday thanked the president for his guidance and close cooperation in the defence and security spheres. This comes as a statement from the President’s media division said that President Rajapaksa conveyed during the talks that he will not allow Sri Lanka to be used in any effort that would threaten India’s security. Shringla also underscored the importance India attaches to expeditiously taking forward mutually beneficial projects, including proposals to enhance air and sea connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. He reiterated India’s position on complete implementation of the provisions under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including devolution of powers and the holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest. In his meeting with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa held on October 4, the Foreign Secretary mentioned that India-Sri Lanka relations are underpinned by vibrant people-to-people ties which would be further strengthened with signing of the Inter-Governmental MoU for the USD 15 million Buddhism grant.
Recalling India’s strong cultural and civilizational links with Jaffna, Foreign Secretary informed that India would extend support to the Government of Sri Lanka for the maintenance of the Jaffna Cultural Centre built with Indian grant assistance. He further mentioned that the Government of India looked forward to welcoming the inaugural flight from Sri Lanka to Kushinagar which would further bolster cultural links between the two countries, a statement from the Indian High Commission said. In his meeting with the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa, the talks focused on the strong economic and commercial relations between India and Sri Lanka. In this connection, both sides agreed to make progress on joint projects, including those under the loan and grant assistance extended by the GoI. Foreign Secretary Shringla held wide-ranging and comprehensive discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs GL. Peiris, and Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd) Prof. Jayanath Colombage on all areas of mutual interest, including on the need to face the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic together to mitigate its economic impact. During the visit, Foreign Secretary travelled to Kandy, Trincomalee and Jaffna, signifying their cultural, economic and historical importance, respectively. In Kandy, Foreign Secretary offered prayers at Sri Dalada Maligawa. In Trincomalee, Foreign Secretary visited the Oil Tank Farms, a symbol of the potential and strong energy partnership between India & Sri Lanka where Lanka IOC briefed him about the development undertaken by it at the Lower Tank Farms and its advantages to Sri Lanka’s economy. During his visit to Jaffna, Foreign Secretary inspected the Jaffna Cultural Centre and interacted with the Governor of Northern Province, several Members of Parliament, academicians and business leaders.
At an event held at Temple Trees in the presence of several State Ministers & Members of Parliament, Foreign Secretary Shringla with Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. GL Peiris jointly inaugurated/ handed over four (4) development cooperation projects completed through Indian grant assistance with the respective line Ministers in a virtual mode. Expressing his happiness at the joint inauguration, Foreign Secretary underlined that completion and handing over of the new housing and educational infrastructure is in line with the abiding commitment of the Government of India to assist Sri Lanka in its socio-economic development. These projects also reflected the people-centric nature and range of India’s development partnership with Sri Lanka. The Foreign Secretary held meetings with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation led by Member of Parliament & Leader of TNA R. Sampanthan; Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) delegation led by Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan; and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) delegation led by State Minister for Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure Jeevan Thondaman. Foreign Secretary reiterated India’s longstanding support for the reconciliation that addresses aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity within the united Sri Lanka and in accordance with the 13th Amendment.