U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland visited Sri Lanka from 22 – 23 March, 2022. During the visit, Under Secretary Nuland held productive discussions with Minister of Foreign affairs G.L. Peiris and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Prof. Jayanath Colombage.  Minister Peiris warmly welcomed the Under Secretary and stated that Sri Lanka considers the U.S. as an important partner and looks forward to working closely with the Biden Administrationto elevate the longstanding relations to greater heights.

Minister Peiris stated that it was important to enhance economic cooperation, as Sri Lanka recovers from the pandemic and encouraged increased U.S. investments to Sri Lanka. He also outlined the progress in reconciliation and human rights, including the PTA reforms passed by Parliament on 22/03. Both sides resolved to further consolidate the strong bilateral relations of over seventy years, into a multifaceted partnership for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Under Secretary Nuland accentuated that the Untied States is eager to support Sri Lanka, a vital partner of the U.S.

During the 4^th session of the Sri Lanka – U.S. Partnership Dialogue, both delegations reiterated their intent to explore new opportunities to enhance market access, bilateral trade, investment, and tourism. They also committed to working together to address climate change and other environmental challenges and resolved to continue cooperation in maritime security. The United States welcomed action taken by Sri Lanka to promote reconciliation and human rights in pursuit of development and prosperity. Both delegations welcomed ongoing bilateral defense and security sector cooperation and the United States resolved to explore opportunities to further expand counter-terrorism cooperation with Sri Lanka. Both delegations also expressed strong support for ongoing cooperation between the two countries in education and culture. 

The visiting Under Secretary for Political Affairs of the U.S. Department of State Victoria Nuland also paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, visited the Colombo Port and met with civil society leaders and the private sector.

State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jayanath Colombage, senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Public Security, Justice, Health, Agriculture, Technology, Environment, Education as well as the Department of Commerce, Board of Investment, Department of External Resources and the Export Development Board participated in the Partnership Dialogue. Under Secretary Nuland was accompanied by the Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Donald Lu, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, the Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Amanda Dory and senior officials of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

28 March, 2022

       External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met a delegation from the Tamil National Alliance led by Hon. R. Sampanthan, Member of Parliament today during his visit to Sri Lanka.

2.     The TNA delegation briefed EAM of the latest developments, focusing on the 25 March meeting between the Government and the TNA. They conveyed that the issues of release of political prisoners, land utilization, missing persons, 13th Amendment implementation and diaspora investment were discussed in the meeting.

3.     Earlier, the Sri Lankan Government’s engagement with TNA also came up during EAM’s call on H.E. The President of Sri Lanka. EAM received a more detailed understanding on this subject from Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris later in the evening.

4.     On his part, EAM welcomed in all these interactions the positive developments regarding the issues on the Government-TNA agenda. He emphasized that the Government of India was consistently supportive of the realization of the aspirations of the Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, justice, peace and dignity within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

5.     The contribution of India’s development partnership to economic recovery in the North and East was also recognized in all the meetings. EAM expressed particular satisfaction at the virtual inauguration of the Jaffna Cultural Centre that he did along with H.E. The Prime Minister.

6.      EAM separately met Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Hon. Douglas Devananda. They discussed issues pertaining to fishermen and exchanged views on devolution.

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28 March 2022

Sharp increases in prices of basic commodities, accompanied by shortages, have severely impacted upon the standard of living of the general population and even prompted the government to call out the army to maintain social peace where queues have formed, as at petrol stations.  The All Party Conference (APC) presided over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has taken place in this context of an unprecedented economic crisis in the country.  

The boycott of the APC by the main opposition parties and even by a section within the government highlights the sharp political divisions and lack of trust within the polity.  The president recognized this reality when he stated that the conference was not called to gain a political advantage. He added that he would once again invite the parties that did not attend the conference. The president also said that he would prepare a plan to carry out the recommendations made by the political party leaders.

The National Peace Council appreciates the approach of finding solutions through discussions. President Rajapaksa’s apology to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe after a government member tried to score political points against the former government was in keeping with his stated commitment to make this an occasion for non-partisan problem solving. The president’s meeting with the TNA today must also lead to further discussions and action on the ground in the area of national reconciliation that will help to strengthen economic investment and aid flows to the country. 

We call on the other political parties to join the next round of discussions. Unlike the parliamentary forum in which the government and opposition sit on opposite sides, the need of the present time is to agree on a policy for the country that will resolve the economic problems that the people face and which all political parties can endorse for the longer term irrespective of who leads the government.  This time of crisis demands sincerity, commitment and mutual accommodation on partisan political positions for the sake of the people.

National Peace Council of Sri Lanka

     External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S.Jaishankar concluded his first day of discussions during his visit to Sri Lanka on 28 March 2022. He is accompanied by a five-member official delegation from Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi for the bilateral and BIMSTEC engagements.

2.     EAM called on H.E President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and conveyed personal greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President of Sri Lanka thanked Government of India (GOI) for economic assistance amounting to around USD 2.5 billion extended to Sri Lanka in 2022. Dr. S. Jaishankar assured India’s continued support in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process. The discussions also covered the recent Government-TNA talks, defence and energy cooperation and fishermen’s issues. It was agreed to deepen economic and commercial linkages with special emphasis on Indian investments.

3.      EAM joined H.E Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at a special event held in Temple Trees to virtually inaugurate the Jaffna Cultural Center. They watched a cultural performance at the Center – a Bharatnatyam rendition, a prayer dedicated to the peoples of India and Sri Lanka and their eternal friendship. They also had a virtual tour of the Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in Jaffna which is supported by GOI. In addition, they also witnessed signing of MoU on implementation of grant assistance from India to promote Buddhist ties between India and Sri Lanka. Further, there was an exchange of notes on the amendment to Article IX of the MoU on construction of Jaffna Cultural Center.

4.       EAM met Finance Minister Hon. Basil Rajapaksa in the morning, who stressed the significance of deeper economic engagement between the two neighbours at a time when the impact of COVID-19 is still being strongly felt. EAM reiterated that India’s partnership with Sri Lanka was rooted in the ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach and S.A.G.A.R (Security And Growth for All in the Region) doctrine. India has stood by Sri Lanka in the hour of its need.

5.        Foreign Minister Prof. G.L Peiris held talks with EAM in the evening. They covered the entire gamut of bilateral engagement. Attesting to the comprehensive nature of bilateral ties, they also witnessed the signing of bilateral documents in diverse areas:

i)   MOU on implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) programme with GOI’s grant assistance;

ii)   MOU for providing Maritime Rescue Coordination Center;

iii)  MOU on implementation of Hybrid Power Projects in three Islands off Jaffna;

iv)  MOU on cooperation in development of Fisheries Harbours in Sri Lanka;

v)  MOU for the establishment of Modern Computer Labs and smart boards with customized curriculum software in 200 schools in Galle District; &

vi)  MOU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute.

6.     EAM separately met Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Hon. Douglas Devananda. They discussed issues pertaining to fishermen and exchanged views on devolution.

7.     EAM’s other engagements included a visit to HCL Technologies, an LIOC petrol station, and discussions with leaders representing various Tamil political parties. It may be recalled that HCL Technologies has created more than 1,800 jobs locally. LIOC has been at the forefront of energy cooperation between the two countries since its incorporation as a Sri Lankan Company two decades back.

8.     Jaffna Cultural Center is a glowing example of India-Sri Lanka development partnership. It was conceived as a reconciliation project primarily aimed at expanding cultural infrastructure for people of Northern Province. This state-of-the-art facility, constructed with grant assistance from GOI, consists of multiple facilities such as a museum of two floors; an advanced theatre style auditorium for more than 600 people; a 11-storeyed learning tower; a public square which could also act as an amphitheater; etc.

9.     EAM will be attending the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on 29 March 2022.

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Colombo
28 March 2022