Indian envoy in key talks with Lanka PM

COLOMBO: New Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two sides have held a detailed discussion on economic ties and cooperation between the two countries and examined ways and means of expediting the proposed joint projects.

The focus was on the possibility of more Indian investments in the energy sector, including solar and wind power, joint projects on Trincomalee oil storage tanks, ports, railways, and other sectors.

The Prime Minister thanked India for the assistance provided to Sri Lanka in facing the current economic crisis by extending debt restructuring facilities and providing relief material, food, and medicine and for the support given to obtain the IMF package to solve liquidity issues.

New High Commissioner Jha, recalling his tenure in Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2010, said he considers it a great privilege to be in Colombo once again to work to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation further.

He stressed the need for early steps to implement the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision and the 14-point program the leaders of the two countries agreed upon.

“My mission is to work with the people of Sri Lanka, for the benefit of Sri Lanka, under the guidance of Sri Lankan leadership,” he declared.

He assured that Indian expertise would be extended to Sri Lanka for its plans for digital infrastructure development, including introducing digital IDs for every citizen and developing IT education.