New Delhi; India and Sri Lanka have reviewed the implementation of decisions taken at the 9th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission for furthering trade, investment and developmental linkages between the two countries. Visiting Sri Lankan minister for development strategies and international trade Malik Samarawickrama and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during their meetings in New Delhi agreed on creating an enabling environment for Indian industry to invest in Sri Lanka. Both Ministers also agreed to encourage further momentum on projects between the two countries. The two leaders reviewed various projects, including the Sampur Power Plant, rehabilitation of Palaly Airfield and Kankesanthurai Harbour. There was appreciation that the development assistance projects are rooted in the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka and the people.
According to official sources, Mrs. Swaraj reiterated that India would like its economic growth trajectory to also lead to growth for Sri Lanka. The two Ministers discussed the future direction of India’s developmental assistance. Mrs. Swaraj emphasized the urgency of finding a permanent solution to the fishermen issue, recommended by the Joint Commission Meeting in February 2016. It was agreed that the meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries of the two countries must be held at the earliest.
During his stay in New Delhi, Mr. Samarawickrama also held discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and Minister of State for Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan. Issues specific to the developmental sectors of railways, petroleum and exploration of oil and gas were taken further in the discussions between Mr Samarawickrama and Ministers of State for Railways and Petroleum and Natural Gas. Mr Samarawickrama was in New Delhi on a two day visit from 4th to 5th of this month. The visit was part of the ongoing regular high level interactions between the two countries.