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India, Sri Lanka to sign historic defence pact during Modi’s visit

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For the first time, India and Sri Lanka are set to sign an ambitious defence cooperation pact during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo next week, in a significant move that comes nearly four decades after the IPKF’s intervention in the island nation.

The two sides are also likely to firm up a currency swap framework and seal several other agreements including one on debt restructuring following talks between Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on April 5, people familiar with the matter said.

An arrangement to develop the Trincomalee oil firms jointly by India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates is also being finalised, they said. In the second and final leg of his two-nation tour, Modi will arrive in Sri Lanka on the evening of April 4 on a three-day trip after concluding his visit to Thailand.

At a media briefing Friday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on defence cooperation is expected to be inked and it is being signed for the first time.

If signed, the MoU on defence cooperation is set to signal a major upward trajectory in India-Sri Lanka defence leaving behind the bitter chapter relating to India pulling out the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from the island nation around 35 years ago.

Finer details of the proposed defence pact are not immediately available but it is expected to enhance the two-way defence engagements against the backdrop of China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

The docking of Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang’ at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka. Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August 2023.

“Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the relationship, based on mutual trust and good will, has stood the test of time,” Misri said on the overall relations.

Modi’s visit will focus on promoting investments and deepening connectivity — physical connectivity, digital connectivity, energy connectivity and boost cooperation in various other domains, he said. Modi will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by Disanayaka in his capacity as the Sri Lankan president. Modi last travelled to Sri Lanka in 2019.

The prime minister’s trip to Sri Lanka comes over three months after Disanayaka visited India during which he categorically conveyed to Modi that the island nation will not allow its territory to be used against New Delhi’s security interests.

“India has come to the assistance of Sri Lanka at critical moments, most recently during the unprecedented economic crisis that it faced in 2022,” Misri said. “India was glad to be able to play a key role in economic stabilisation and recovery of Sri lanka, demonstrating its commitment as a dependable neighbour to Sri Lanka,” he said.

Misri said Modi’s visit to the island nation comes in the context of a recovering Sri Lankan economy. As Sri Lanka resumes its “growth path”, the visit is coming at an opportune moment for giving the two countries an opportunity to explore new areas of partnership and cooperation, he added.

Sri Lanka was reeling under a massive economic crisis two years back and India extended financial assistance worth USD 4.5 billion to the country. The foreign secretary said Modi is expected to raise the fishermen issue during his talks with Disanayaka.

This is a longstanding issue, Misri said, adding India has been highlighting the need to avoid use of force under all circumstances.The foreign secretary said a long-lasting solution can be found through constructive engagement. In Colombo, Modi and Disanayaka will dedicate several projects that are being built in that country with India’s assistance.

We will also witness exchange of several MoUs pertaining to energy connectivity, digitisation, health and multi-sectoral grant assistance, Misri said. The two leaders will also witness the virtual ground breaking of the Sampur solar energy project.

This is in many senses going to be a milestone in the bilateral partnership, Misri said. Modi is also scheduled to meet several political leaders. On April 6, Modi and Disanayaka will travel together to the historic city of Anuradhapura where they will pay their respects at the Mahabodhi temple.

They will also jointly inaugurate two India-assisted projects there, according to Misri. India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties witnessed upward trajectory in the last few years.

Source: PTI

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Trishaw fares to remain unchanged

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Despite the Rs. 10 reduction in petrol prices, there is no possibility of lowering

The All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Association (AITWA) has said that it will not be possible to reduces three-wheeler fares, despite yesterday’s reduction on petrol prices.

AITWA President Lalith Dharmasekara has said that instead of reducing fares, the government should intervene to introduce formal regulations to provide a more efficient service to the public.

Noting that petrol prices have only decreased by Rs. 10 per litre, reducing fares by 50 cents per kilometre is not practical, he has pointed out.

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“Palessa” launched to provide affordable & nutritious meals

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A new government initiative aimed at ensuring food security and making nutritious meals affordable for the public was officially launched today (April 01) at the “Palessa” restaurant of the National Food Promotion Board in Narahenpita.

This project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Food Promotion Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture. It also involves the support of existing restaurant businesses and is integrated with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

Through this initiative, people can now enjoy specially prepared nutritious meals for as low as Rs. 200. The government also plans to introduce this balanced meal package to both public and private restaurants in the near future.

In addition to cooked meals, a variety of packaged local food products and nutritious snacks will also be made available to the public at affordable prices.

The event’s special guest, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha, emphasized the importance of providing the public with high-quality, healthy, and sufficient meals. He stated that the project was launched in collaboration with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to guide the public and promote a positive shift in the commercial food sector.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary  to the President S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Director Nutrition Division of the Ministry of Health Dr. Monika Wijeratne, senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Food Promotion Board, as well as business representatives from the private sector.

(President’s Media Division)

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Election activities in nomination disputed LG institutions, suspended

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The Court of Appeal today (April 01) has directed the relevant Returning Officers to suspend the election activities in Local Government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

This order applies only to LG institutions where the rejection of nominations has been challenged in court.

After considering several petitions, the Court of Appeal bench, comprising Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando, issued this order which will be effective until tomorrow (April 02).

The petitions were submitted by several parties including ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) challenging the rejection of their nominations for several local government institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

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