Visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (June 20).

Dr. Jaishankar is on a one-day visit to Sri Lanka. This was also his first bilateral visit after being reappointed to the high office following the recent general elections in India.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister had congratulated Dr Jaishanker on the election victory of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and reassured Sri Lanka’s commitment to work together to further strengthen close bilateral relations. He thanked India for the assistance given at recent difficult times after Covid pandemic and the economic crisis.

Minister Jaishankar said the neighbours like Sri Lanka are extremely important to India and there is tremendous goodwill for Sri Lanka in India. He said the Indian government reaffirms the Neighbourhood First Policy and the main purpose of his visit is to underline India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbour and time tested friend.

The Prime Minister and the Indian Minister discussed Indian investments, development projects, connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial cooperation in different spheres.

Dr. Jaishankar also called upon his Sri Lankan counterpart – Minister Ali Sabry as well.

The bilateral discussions at the Foreign Ministry centered on a range of issues of mutual interest including in the areas of economic and development cooperation, cooperation in regional and multilateral fora as well as cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries among others.

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were associated with the Foreign Minister for the bilateral talks.

Following bilateral talks, the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister signed the Guest Book at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Jaishankar also met with several political leaders including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a delegation from the opposition including Opposition leader – Sajith Premadasa as well as a host of Tamil political leaders.

Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House earlier today (June 20) for a one-on-one meeting.

The PMD sayas that three milestones in Indo-Sri Lanka relations were achieved during Dr. Jaishankar’s visit,

President Wickremesinghe & Dr. Jaishankar jointly unveiled the virtual plaque for 106 houses in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Matale under the Indian Housing Project with 24 houses in each model village in Colombo & Trincomalee being handed over virtually.

They aslo jointly unveiled the virtual plaque a short while ago to mark the formal commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Lanka under a $6M grant from India. This includes a centre at Navy HQ in Colombo, a sub-centre in Hambantota & unmanned installations at Galle, Arugambay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa, Point Pedro & Mollikulam.

Tweeting, Dr. Jaishankar has said that he was honoured to call on President Wickresemesinghe and conveyed the warm greetings of the Indian PM Narendra Modi.

“Appreciated the progress made on various bilateral projects and initiatives. Under President @RW_UNP’s guidance, discussed the way forward for the 🇮🇳 🇱🇰 cooperation, especially in power, energy, connectivity, port infrastructure, aviation, digital, health, food security, education and tourism sectors,” he has further said.

(Pics : X feed of Dr. S. Jaishankar)

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the future of Sri Lanka will be determined by the economic policies implemented over the next five years.

The President delivered this statement while addressing the youth and business community in Mannar during his participation in the “Youth Conference” held yesterday (June 16).

The President initially attended the Mannar District “Youth Conference” yesterday (16) at the Conference Hall in Mannar Town Hall. The conference, themed “Journey for a Bright Future,” included an award ceremony where the President presented certificates and cash prizes to students who excelled in the 2023/2024 G.C.E Advanced Level Examination.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe interacted directly with the youth, addressing their questions and providing positive responses.

He explained that over the past four years, job creation was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis. However, he assured the audience that the upcoming economic program would create new job opportunities for those previously unable to secure employment.

The President emphasized that it is up to the youth to decide whether they wish to advance their own future and contribute to the country through the government’s program.

Additionally, President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a meeting with the business community of Mannar district yesterday (16) in Mannar.

The President emphasized that continuing the current government’s economic policies will attract a significant number of investors to the country in the future.

He also underscored that maintaining consistent economic policies over time will lead to success for the country.

The President highlighted that the new economic policy, introduced through the Economic Transformation Law, represents a pivotal step forward for the country. He underscored that this framework equips any government with the capability to drive the nation forward.

The President noted that despite longstanding efforts by the people of Sri Lanka to seek political solutions, there has been a noticeable absence of initiatives aimed at addressing economic challenges. He stressed that sustainable national development hinges on the implementation of robust economic policies.

Highlighting his achievement in revitalizing the country’s economy within a short span of two years, the President assured that further relief measures would be extended to all sectors as the economy continues to strengthen.

Furthermore, the President briefed the youth and business communities on the government’s initiatives aimed at fostering comprehensive development in the Mannar district.

State Minister Kader Mastan, Members of Parliament Selvam Adaikalanathan, Northern Province Governor P.S.M.Charles and other political representatives of the province were also present on this occasion.

(President’s Media Division)