June 21, Colombo (LNW): Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees .
The Prime Minister congratulated Dr. Jaishankar on the election victory of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He expressed gratitude for India’s support during the difficult times following the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.
Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of neighboring countries like Sri Lanka to India, highlighting the significant goodwill for Sri Lanka within India. He reiterated India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and stated that the primary purpose of his visit was to underscore India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbor and time-tested friend.
The discussions between the Prime Minister and Dr. Jaishankar covered Indian investments, development projects, connectivity projects, and other mutually beneficial cooperation areas.
The Indian delegation included Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary (Indian Ocean Region) Puneet Agarwal, Joint Secretary Sandeep Kumar Bayapu of the External Affairs Ministry, and Deputy High Commissioner Satyanjal Pandey.
Sri Lankan attendees included Minister Douglas Devananda, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Prime Minister’s Advisor Sugeeswara Senadhira, and the Foreign Ministry’s Director General (South Asia) Niluka Kaduragamuwa.
Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.
