‘Full implementation of Constitution and conducting Provincial Council elections’ (Video)
The following is the English Translation of Press Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Joint Press Conference with the President of Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:
President Disanayaka’s visit has infused renewed dynamism and energy in our relationship.
We have adopted a futuristic vision for our partnership.
We have emphasized investment-led growth and connectivity in our economic partnership.
We have decided that physical, digital, and energy connectivity shall be the key pillars of our partnership.
We shall work towards establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines between both nations.
The Sampur Solar Power Project shall be accelerated.
Additionally, LNG shall be supplied for Sri Lanka’s power plants.
Both sides shall endeavor to accomplish ECTA soon to promote bilateral trade.
India has extended grants and Lines of Credit worth USD 5 Billion to Sri Lanka.
We have been providing support to all the 25 districts of Sri Lanka.
Our projects have always been selected based on the developmental preferences of our partner countries.
Taking forward this developmental support, we have decided to provide a grant for rejuvenating Maho’s signaling system to Anuradhapura Rail Section and Kankesanthurai Port.
As part of our educational cooperation, we will provide monthly scholarships to 200 students of Jaffna and universities in Sri Lanka’s Eastern region.
In the next five years, 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants will be trained in India.
Along with housing, renewable energy, and infrastructure, India will extend its support to Sri Lanka in agriculture, dairy, and fisheries.
India shall partner for the Unique Digital Identity project in Sri Lanka.
President Disanayaka and I fully agree that our security interests are interconnected.
We have decided to finalize the Security Cooperation Agreement quickly. We have also agreed to cooperate on Hydrography.
The Colombo Security Conclave is an essential regional peace, security, and development platform.
Under this umbrella, support shall be extended to maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, combating smuggling and organized crime, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
The people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka are rooted in our civilizations.
When India declared the Pali language a Classical Language, Sri Lanka joined us in this celebration.
The Ferry Service and the Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have boosted tourism and reinforced cultural ties.
We have jointly decided that, after the successful launch of the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai Ferry service, we will also initiate a ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar.
Work shall also be initiated to realize the immense potential of tourism through the Buddhism Circuit and Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Trail.
We also spoke at length about the issues related to the livelihood of our fishermen.
We both agreed that we must adopt a humanitarian approach to this matter.
We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
President Disanayaka apprised me of his inclusive perspective.
We hope that the Sri Lankan government will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil people.
And that they shall fulfill their commitment toward fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka and conducting the Provincial Council Elections.
I have assured President Disanayaka that India shall be a trusted and reliable partner in his nation-building efforts.
Once again, I extend a warm welcome to President Disanayaka and his delegation to India.
I wish him the best for his visit to Bodhgaya and hope it is full of spiritual energy and inspiration.
The original remarks were delivered in Hindi and can be accessed at: https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements-hi.htm?dtl/38796