Prez assures Sri Lankan territory will never be allowed to be used against India’s security interests

• Jaishankar assures support restructuring ISBs, presses for release of Indian fishermen 
• Calls for implementation of 13th Amendment, early Provincial Council Elections

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his meeting with  Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, said that India’s  economic support is critical to realise his vision of a prosperous Sri  Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people, according to a  statement released by the Indian External Affairs Ministry after the  visit.   

The Ministry said the Sri Lankan President referred to the  potential of export of renewable energy to India, which could help  reduce production costs in Sri Lanka and create additional resources.   

The President also noted the contribution of Indian tourists and recognised that this has the potential to grow further.  

The President reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would  never allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India’s security  interests.  

Dr. Jaishankar also met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini  Amarasuriya and held discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.  He also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of Samagi  Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Sajith Premadasa.  

 In his discussions with Foreign Minister Herath, he  conveyed India’s strong commitment to advance bilateral cooperation  based on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook. In this  context, he assured that India’s ongoing development assistance to Sri  Lanka through projects of Sri Lankan priority will be continued. He  emphasised that India has offered to modernize the Kankesanthurai Port  through a grant to the tune of USD $ 61.5 million. He also conveyed that  payments for seven completed Line of Credit projects to the tune of US $  20 million could be converted into grants. India has also decided to  gift 22 diesel locomotives to the Sri Lankan Railways.  

 In his meeting with the President, EAM spoke about ongoing  initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel  and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity,  digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development. He  highlighted that they would contribute to economic sustainability and  provide new streams of revenue. The Sri Lankan President said that  India’s economic support is critical to realise his vision of a  prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people. He  referred to the potential of the export of renewable energy to India, which  could help reduce production costs in Sri Lanka and create additional  resources. The President also noted the contribution of Indian tourists  and recognised that this has the potential to grow further.  

His conversation with the leadership also covered  facilitating Indian investments and job creation in Sri Lanka, as well  as expanding the flow of Indian tourists. In his meeting with Prime  Minister Amarasuriya, he underlined that the Government of India was  prepared to respond to the training and capacity-building requirements  of Sri Lanka. 

Their discussion also focused on the benefits of digital  public infrastructure.  

On Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, he recalled that  India had been supportive of Sri Lanka’s economic stability and  recovery from the very start. It was the first country to give financing  assurances, which enabled the IMF to finalise the Extended Fund  Facility. He confirmed India’s support in the Official Creditors’  Committee in respect of Sri Lanka’s agreement with International  Sovereign Bondholders. India is also willing to expedite the conclusion  of its bilateral MoU with Sri Lanka. The President conveyed his  appreciation in that regard.  
​Regarding security and defence, the meetings brought out  that the interests of India and Sri Lanka were closely intertwined.  Their collaboration was in mutual interest and contributed to the  stability and security of the region. The importance of a continuous  dialogue that would promote trust, transparency and mutual sensitivity  was recognised.   

He raised the concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen who  are detained in Sri Lanka. He pressed for their early release, as well  as of their boats, and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on  them. A humanitarian approach focused on livelihood issues would create a  durable basis for addressing this matter. A meeting of the Joint  Working Group on Fisheries and of the Fishermen Associations would be  timely. He appreciated the release of 50 Indian fishermen today.  

 ​With regard to the ethnic issue and the reconciliation  process, EAM reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all  communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, and peace  while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of  Sri Lanka. The full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment  of its Constitution and the early holding of Provincial Council  Elections will facilitate these objectives.