Manmohan Singh’s demise a loss for Sri Lanka as well: RW

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe pays last respects to former Indian Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh 

Mr. Wickremesinghe conversing with Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi          

By Yohan Perera   

The demise of one-time Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh  is a loss for Sri Lanka as well, as he has done much to enhance  Indo-Lanka ties, especially during the post-2009 era, former Sri Lankan  President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.   

“Late Prime Minister Singh assisted Sri Lanka in its war  against the LTTE terrorism. He is remembered for the Indian-funded  project to provide 50,000 houses for the Sri Lankans in the areas which  were affected by war. During his tenure as the Prime Minister assisted  Sri Lanka in resolving humanitarian and human rights issues. Therefore,  his death is a loss for Sri Lanka as well,” Mr. Wickremesinghe told  Indian media after paying his last respects to the late Indian leader.   

 
“I have been associating with Mr. Singh since 1992 when he  was reforming the Indian economy. I used to inform him of the  developments in Sri Lanka during that time. Mr. Singh together with  Prime Ministers Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee brought about phase 1 of the economic reforms in India. We are now seeing the phase 2  of the reforms under Premier Narendra Modi. India is about to become an  economic power under the reforms phase 2,” he added.   

Mr. Wickremesinghe paid his last respects to the late Mr. Singh  at his residence. Mr. Wickremesinghe’s office in Colombo said he met  Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi at Singh’s residence and had a  brief discussion with him.