Indian Vice President Sri C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held bilateral discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (19).
Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat, the Indian Vice President was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also congratulated Sri C.P. Radhakrishnan on assuming office as the Vice President of India.
Noting that this was his first official visit to Sri Lanka, the Indian Vice President expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him.
Following the welcome ceremony, bilateral talks were held between the two leaders, during which extensive discussions took place on further strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
The Indian Vice President stated that he looks forward to enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, education, health, tourism, investment and trade, with particular focus on energy security and port development.
The discussions also covered housing projects implemented in Sri Lanka with the assistance of the Indian Government, as well as projects carried out under the US$450 million package allocated for areas affected by Cyclone Ditva.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that, in line with the understandings reached during his recent official visit to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, India’s cooperation with Sri Lanka has expanded across many sectors, including economic and social development. He noted that numerous programmes have already been implemented and that cooperation between the two countries is expected to grow further in the future.
The President also appreciated the special assistance provided by India to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditva and expressed gratitude for the allocation of funds from the Indian budget for Sri Lanka.
He further recalled with appreciation the steps taken by India to send 38,000 metric tons of fuel to Sri Lanka during the energy crisis caused by the military situation in the Middle East.
Referring to India’s significant achievements in technology, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Sri Lanka looks forward to cooperating with India in these sectors and expects India’s support, particularly in human resource development and the programme to digitize the public sector.
Special attention was also given to fisheries-related issues, with both sides discussing the need to work together towards a long-term and sustainable solution.
Representing the Indian delegation were State Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Members of Parliament Dr. K. Lakshman and Dr. Medha Bishram Kulkarni, Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Vikram Misri, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, and several other officials.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of External Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Finance and Economic Affairs and Secretary to the Ministry of Energy G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism M.R.K. Lenagala, and several other officials.
