Sri Lankan parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that the island nation ignored certain development projects based on political reasons. Rajapaksa, the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), was speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi.
His remarks came in the wake of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, during which Modi pledged support to Colombo in dealing with newly imposed tariffs by the United States.
Rajapaksa emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, highlighting the potential benefits of enhanced collaboration between Sri Lanka and India. “With Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, there are many areas where Sri Lanka and India can collaborate, especially in regional cooperation. It’s in the best interest of each country to build strong regional ties,” he said.
He noted that while global priorities have often taken precedence, focusing on regional partners like India—one of the largest and fastest-growing economies—could bring significant advantages. “Countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and others in the region can benefit greatly if we pursue the right path and establish effective contracts,” he added.
When asked about Sri Lanka’s way forward amid economic and political challenges, Rajapaksa stressed the need for timely implementation of key projects. “We must execute what needs to be done at the right time. Delays in projects like Sampur and Uma Oya due to political reasons led to an energy crisis that later turned into a financial crisis in 2022,” he explained.
He also called for greater collaboration among Indian Ocean countries to develop new trade partnerships, especially in light of recent global trade shifts. “The recent developments in Washington will affect Sri Lanka’s apparel exports and maritime industry. We need to work together with countries like India to form new alliances and partnerships within the region,” he said.
