Sri Lanka’s peace and development: India reiterates support

By Vipul Last updated Aug 26, 2020

A delegation of SLMC MPs called on Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Tuesday.

Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay said on Tuesday that “partnering Sri Lanka, including for peace and development, remains a priority in India’s ‘neighborhood first’ policy.”

The envoy made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MPs, led by Kandy district parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem.

Baglay congratulated the MPs on their electoral victory, the High Commission said in a Twitter post.

“In the exchange of views on promoting India-Sri Lanka ties, the High Commissioner conveyed that partnering Sri Lanka, including for peace and development, remains a priority in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy,” the Twitter statement added.

The SLMC leader received 83,398 preferential votes in this month’s parliamentary elections. The SLMC is part of the opposition alliance, led by Colombo district MP Sajith Premadasa.

The negative impact of abolishing the 13th and 19th amendments to the minority communities had been discussed during the meeting with the High Commissioner, SLMC deputy leader Nazeer Ahamed was quoted as saying in local media reports.