Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Monday that his country’s territory will not be used for any activity that is detrimental to India. He was speaking after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
The two leaders held a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House, where Dissanayake expressed gratitude to India for helping Sri Lanka during its “unprecedented economic crisis” two years ago. PM Modi said India had supported Lanka through lines of credit and grants worth about USD 4 billion.
PM Modi said they discussed “reconciliation and reconstruction” in the neighbouring country, and expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minorities.
Dissanayake, who landed in Delhi on Sunday evening, is on a state visit to India from Sunday to Tuesday. PM Modi noted that this is the first visit of President Dissanayake to India after the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka.
Dissanayake also met President Droupadi Murmu. The recently elected President of Sri Lanka will participate in a business event in Delhi, and visit Bodh Gaya thereafter.
The two sides signed pacts on avoiding double taxation as well as on capacity building and training.
PM Modi said the visit has infused new pace and energy into bilateral ties, and they will work on a “futuristic vision” that will involve “investment-led growth” and physical, digital and energy connectivity.
They also discussed the Sampur solar power project, railway connectivity within Sri Lanka, ferry and flight services between the two countries, digital identity project, and education, besides deliberating on defence pacts and the work on hydrography. Dissanayake said they need to find a “durable” and “sustainable solution” to the issue of fishermen.
Modi flagged the importance of maritime security, cyber security and counter-terrorism among issues to be discussed through the Colombo Security Conclave mechanism. They also discussed the Ramayana Circuit and the Buddhist Circuit for tours in each other’s countries.
“The visit of President Dissanayake to India shall further strengthen the multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries,” the MEA spokesperson had said on Friday.
The fact that Dissanayake’s first overseas visit after assuming office is to India signals the importance the new Sri Lankan President — who defeated the traditional political parties ruled by the political elite – has attached to the relationship.
Dissanayake is accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando. The invitation to visit New Delhi was extended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who visited Colombo less than a fortnight after Dissanayake’s victory. Jaishankar was the first foreign minister to visit Sri Lanka since the National People’s Power (NPP) government led by Dissanayake came to power on September 23.
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