President Dissanayake Vows To Prevent Sri Lankan Land From Being Used For Anti-India Actions After Meeting PM Modi

On Monday (16 December), President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka assured that his nation's land would not be utilised for any actions harmful to India. His statement was made following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

During a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House, Dissanayake, one of the two leaders, conveyed his appreciation to India for their assistance during Sri Lanka's severe economic crisis two years prior.

PM Modi highlighted that India's support for Sri Lanka included lines of credit and grants totaling approximately $4 billion. He conveyed that their discussions revolved around "reconciliation and reconstruction" in the adjacent nation.

President Dissanayake, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday evening, is conducting a state visit to India from Sunday through Tuesday. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that this trip marks President Dissanayake's first visit to India following the recent presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka.

Dissanayake, the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, had a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. Following this, he is scheduled to attend a business event in Delhi and subsequently make a visit to Bodh Gaya.

The two parties inked agreements to prevent double taxation and to enhance capacity building and training. PM Modi stated that the visit has injected a fresh momentum and vigor into the bilateral relations.

He further mentioned that they will develop a "forward-looking vision" that will include "growth driven by investment" along with physical, digital, and energy connectivity. He also voiced his optimism that the Sri Lankan government would meet the expectations of the Tamil minority communities.

Additionally, the digital identity project and education were discussed. Dissanayake emphasized the need for a "durable" and "sustainable solution" to the fishermen's issue.

Modi highlighted the significance of discussing maritime security, cyber security, and counter-terrorism via the Colombo Security Conclave mechanism. Additionally, the Ramayana Circuit and the Buddhist Circuit for tours in their respective countries were also topics of conversation.

The MEA spokesperson stated on Friday that President Dissanayake's visit to India would serve to enhance the diverse and mutually advantageous collaboration between the two nations.

The significance the new Sri Lankan President, Dissanayake, places on his relationship with India is indicated by his decision to make it his first international visit after taking office. This is particularly notable considering he triumphed over the traditional political parties governed by the political elite.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando, Dissanayake received an invitation to visit New Delhi from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

This invitation came less than two weeks after Dissanayake's victory, with Jaishankar being the first foreign minister to visit Sri Lanka under the new National People’s Power (NPP) government led by Dissanayake, which assumed power on 23 September.