The Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (October 4) to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation.
President Dissanayake went on to stress at the meeting that Indian economic aid was important to him to envision a prospering Sri Lanka and to actualize the aspirations of the people. The possibility of exporting renewable energy to India, which would help lower the cost of production in Sri Lanka and generate additional resources, was also a key point made.
This, added the President, proved that Indians contributed significantly to the economy of Sri Lanka and the potential for the sector was not utilized.
EAM Jaishankar updated the President on the projects in operation relating to production and transportation of energy and fuel, LNG supply, solar electrification at religious sites, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health, and dairy development. He said all these would contribute to economic sustainability and create new ones.
Both leaders of both the countries are of the view that their own interests are closely intertwined between India and Sri Lanka. They say that cooperation between them is mutually advantageous, indispensable to regional stability and security. They recognized that trust and transparency could be achieved only through continued dialogue, mutual sensitivity, etc.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed that Sri Lankan territory will not be used in ways prejudicial to the security interests of India.
Discussing Sri Lanka's debt restructuring efforts, EAM Jaishankar referred to India's long-standing support to the country's economic stability and recovery. India was the first nation to provide financing assurances, which facilitated the IMF in finalizing the Extended Fund Facility. He confirmed India's support in the Official Creditors' Committee regarding Sri Lanka's agreement with International Sovereign Bondholders and expressed readiness to expedite the bilateral MoU with Sri Lanka, which the President appreciated.
EAM S Jaishankar brought up the issue of detained Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka who have been called for their release along with the boats, and reconsidered the hefty fines imposed on them. He requested a humanitarian approach that may resolve this issue based on the livelihood problems as the basis. He also noted a much-needed meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries and Fishermen Associations and saluted the release of 50 Indian fishermen today.
During Prime Minister Amarasuriya's meeting with EAM S Jaishankar, he explained India was ready to engage with Sri Lanka concerning training and capacity building.
The two also discussed the advantages of the digital public infrastructure.
EAM S Jaishankar also met Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and expressed the desire for it to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka as part of 'Neighbourhood First' policy and SAGAR outlook. He reaffirmed the commitment to further development assistance for Sri Lanka in the form of priority projects. He also brought into focus India's offer to develop the Kankesanthurai port with a grant of USD 61.5 million and stated that payments towards seven completed Line of Credit projects amounting to USD 20 million could be treated as grants. It has also been decided to gift 22 diesel locomotives to Sri Lanka Railways.
On the ethnic question and reconciliation, the EAM noted that India continues to stand by the aspirations of all communities, including the Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, and peace while upholding Sri Lanka's unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. He underscored that doing this through the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in all its aspects and moving ahead with elections to the Provincial Councils in a time-bound manner would advance those goals.
EAM Jaishankar met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.
