June 20, 2024
2 mins read

Lanka President Inaugurates Indian Projects Amid Jaishankar’s Visit

This is Jaishankar’s first official visit after the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi….reports Asian Lite News

Marking strong neighbourhood ties between South Asia’s historical allies India and Sri Lanka, visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday jointly inaugurated the formal commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) under a $6 million grant from India.

Placed at vital points in the Indian Ocean Island, the MRCC has centres at the Navy Headquarters in Colombo, a sub-centre in Hambantota, and crucial unmanned installations at Galle, Arugambay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa, Point Pedro, and Mullikulam.

Jaishankar and President Wickremesinghe jointly unveiled the virtual plaque to mark the formal commissioning of the MRCC established by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

They also joined the virtual handing over of 154 new houses built under the Indian housing development partnership initiative.

“Appreciated the progress made on various bilateral projects and initiatives. Under President Wickramasinghe’s guidance, discussed the way forward for the India-Lanka cooperation, especially in power, energy, connectivity, port infrastructure, aviation, digital, health, food security, education and tourism sectors. Committed to working for the steady development of our traditionally close and friendly ties,” said Jaishankar.

As many as 106 houses have been built in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts while 24 houses each were built in Colombo and Trincomalee districts.

They add to the already-built 3,700 houses which are part of 4000 houses to be built under Phase-3 of the Indian Housing Project (IHP), an initiative taken by India after the destruction caused by the three-decade-long war which ended in 2009.

Following the end of the civil war, the Indian government launched a project to build 50,000 houses at a cost of (Sri Lankan) Rs 33 billion across Sri Lanka, covering all 25 districts including war-torn north and eastern provinces and at the central hills where Indian-origin Tamils work in tea plantations.

This is Jaishankar’s first official visit after the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also met PM Dinesh Gunawardena and his counterpart M.U.M. Alisabry.

“Reiterated India’s strong support through development and connectivity initiatives. Confident that our development assistance and capacity building programs will keep delivering for the aspirations of people of Sri Lanka,” the EAM posted on X after his meeting with Gunawardena on Thursday afternoon.

Among other issues, Jaishankar is also expected to discuss the possible visit of PM Modi to Sri Lanka, later this year.

The Sri Lankan President was in New Delhi on June 9 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi.

During his visit, Wickramasinghe invited the Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka.

ALSO READ: Jaishankar calls on PMs of Mauritius, Bhutan, Nepal

Previous Story

Bhutan Gets $40M Loan from ADB

Next Story

Hasina Due in India

Latest from -Top News

GAZA KILLINGS: War Crime?

Mobile Phone Footage Casts Doubt on Israeli Account of Ambulance Attack in Gaza Newly surfaced mobile phone footage has raised serious questions about the Israeli military’s justification for opening fire on a

Namibia voices concern over US tariffs

AGOA is a non-reciprocal trade arrangement aimed at supporting development in African countries through preferential access to US markets The Namibian government has expressed concern over newly imposed US tariffs, warning that

Uganda, South Sudanese leaders hold talks

Museveni, who is among the guarantors of a 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war, held closed-door discussions with President Salva Kiir Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was expected to meet

Protests across US against Trump

The largest event was at the National Mall in DC, where demonstrators numbered in the tens of thousands People across the US took to the streets on Saturday to oppose what left-leaning

Namibia voices concern over US tariffs

AGOA is a non-reciprocal trade arrangement aimed at supporting development in African countries through preferential access to US markets The Namibian government has expressed concern over newly imposed US tariffs, warning that
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Cong pushes for debate on Adani issue 

The Winter Session of Parliament kicks off on November 25

DMK, allies open new front against Centre over Dam Safety Bill

Stalin said the BJP government at the Centre did not