PMD: India’s Foreign Secretary, Dr S. Jaishankar, convened with President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (11) at the Presidential Secretariat in London.
Detailed conversations took place to bolster Indo-Sri Lankan ties, culminating in the signing of three bilateral pacts to augment cooperation between the two nations.
Moreover, the inauguration of the third phase of the housing project, backed by Indian financial support, occurred during this meeting. An initial allocation of Rs. 1.026 million was earmarked per unit for the fourth phase; however, due to escalating housing costs, it was essential to adjust the budget to Rs. 2.8 million per unit.
With an aim to improve the lives of the Sri Lankan populace, the Indian Government has pledged further funds for the expedited conclusion of nine development schemes in the country, all currently under the aegis of the Indian Government. The associated agreement for this initiative was also finalised today.
These initiatives encompass the upgrade of 27 schools in the Northern Province, housing projects in Mannar and Anuradhapura, enhancements to the Hatton Thondaman Vocational Training Centre and Pussellawa Saraswati Central College, the creation of a multi-ethnic trilingual school in Polonnaruwa, the launch of 2889 rainwater harvesting schemes in the Jaffna district, vegetable cultivation promotion in the Dambulla district, and the erection of greenhouse facilities with a 5000 metric ton capacity for preserving fruits. In addition, a new surgical wing for the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital will swiftly be constructed as a part of these endeavours.
A collaborative agreement was formalised, involving the Indian National Dairy Development Board, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation of India (Amul), and Sri Lanka’s Cargills Group, to enhance Sri Lanka’s domestic dairy sector. This pact was a direct result of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s formal trip to India and the earmarking of funds for modernising Sri Lanka’s livestock sector.
The chief aim of this project is to boost milk production by 53% in the initial five years, striving for Sri Lanka’s self-sustainability in milk production over 15 years. In line with this effort, roughly 200,000 local farmers are expected to benefit from amenities like premium medicines, animal nutrition, and technical assistance.
This scheme also incorporates the digitisation of the livestock industry, infusions in innovative technologies to augment the quality of dairy derivatives, and assuring affordable access to dairy products.
Beyond this pivotal agreement, a unique emblem was introduced today, commemorating 75 years of Indo-Sri Lankan relations.
Attending the signing were the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr Gopal Baglay, Union Secretaries of the Indian Foreign Office Mr Puneeth Agrawal and Mr J. P. Singh, Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Dr Satyanjal Pandey, and Indian Foreign Office Deputy Secretary Mr Raghu Puri.
From the Sri Lankan delegation, notable attendees were Foreign Secretary Mr Ali Sabri PC, Minister Jeevan Thondaman, State Secretary Tenuka Widanagamage, MP M. Rameswaran, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and the President’s Chief of Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Dr R.H.S. Samaratunga, President’s Secretary Mr Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Office Secretary Ms Aruni Wijewardena, Director of Presidential International Relations Mr Dinuk Colombage, amongst other dignitaries.
