The Indian High Commission has issued a statement following a meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensuring that its territory will never be used to compromise India’s security interests. This assurance was reiterated by President Dissanayake during their discussions.
The meeting, held at the President’s Office, also addressed the ethnic issue and the reconciliation process within Sri Lanka. Minister Jaishankar expressed India’s support for the aspirations of all communities, particularly the Tamil population, in their pursuit of equality, justice, respect, and peace. He stressed the importance of maintaining the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Sri Lanka while advocating for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the prompt holding of provincial council elections to facilitate these goals.
Jaishankar’s official visit to Sri Lanka began yesterday, arriving at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport on a special flight from India’s Air Force. During the meeting, he also highlighted India’s interest in bolstering Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, as well as investments in electricity, energy, and the liquid milk industry. He assured that India would provide comprehensive support for Sri Lanka’s economic revival.
The discussions also covered security cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, focusing on regional stability and security in the Indian Ocean region.
