Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence of India, at Parliament today (09), during his visit to Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by the Government of India to Sri Lanka, particularly during times of national difficulty, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Media Division.
She conveyed her gratitude for India’s assistance following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and welcomed the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu by the Government of India as part of its humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance to Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the relationship between Sri Lanka and India extends beyond diplomatic and economic cooperation, with cultural, historical and religious ties serving as an integral part of the longstanding bonds of friendship between the two countries, the statement said.
The discussion was also focused on India being an important partner for Sri Lanka across a wide range of sectors, including trade, development, defence and education, the two countries have also maintained cooperation in capacity-building, including in the parliamentary and public sectors, contributing to the strengthening of institutional capabilities and good governance.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and India in the field of defence and emphasised the importance of continuing and further strengthening this partnership. The discussions also included the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the visit.
The Prime Minister further emphasised the importance of expanding regional cooperation, particularly in the fields of tourism and education sector, it added.
She highlighted the potential for greater collaboration between universities in Sri Lanka and India, including through specialised educational institutions and programmes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), to strengthen knowledge exchange, innovation and skills development.
The occasion was attended by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Amit Telang, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Prasanna Shrivastava, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sagarika Bogahawatta and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
