Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake meets Modi: ‘Won’t allow our land to be used against India’s interests’

After holding a bilateral meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake said: ‘I have given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, December 16, 2024. Source: X | @MEAIndia.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Monday, assured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his country won’t allow its land to be “used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India.”

Addressing the media after a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Dissanayake further said, “The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India.”

The Sri Lankan President, who is on 3-day India visit, his first foreign trip after assuming office in September, further expressed his happiness of being able to travel to Delhi as his first state visit.

“I want to thank India for the invitation extended to me and also for the warm hospitality that was extended to the whole delegation, including myself. I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu… This visit paved the way for the cooperation between the two countries to be developed further,” Dissanayake said.

‘India supported us immensely’

Dissanayake also thanked India for supporting Sri Lanka during its economic crisis. “We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some 2 years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process,” he said.

“I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka,” the President of the island nation further said.

Meanwhile, PM Modi informed that India has, so far, provided $5 billion in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka.

PM Modi said that during their talks, the two leaders have decided that grant assistance will be given for the rehabilitation of the signalling system of the Maho-Anuradhapura railway section and Kankesanthurai Port.

Sri Lankan President on fishermen issue

PM Modi said that during the bilateral meeting, he discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen with the Sri Lankan President. “We agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach in this matter,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, Dissanayake said: “We also want to find a durable and sustainable solution to the fishermen’s issue that has become a plague for both our countries. There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry.”

‘New speed & energy generated in India-Sri Lanka relations’

PM Modi welcomed Dissanayake to India and said, “We are delighted that as the President, you chose India for your first foreign State Visit. With today’s Yatra, new speed and energy is being generated in our relations.”

“For our partnership we have adopted a futuristic vision. In our economic cooperation, we have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity. We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be important pillars of our partnership. Work will be done for electricity grid connectivity and multi petroleum pipeline,” the Prime Minister said.

India to give monthly scholarships to 200 students in Sri Lanka

At the joint press statement, PM Modi announced that under education cooperation, from 2025, monthly scholarships will be given to 200 students in the universities of Jaffna and Eastern Province.

1,500 civil servants of Sri Lanka to be trained in India

In the next 5 years, 1500 civil servants of Sri Lanka will be trained in India, the Prime Minister announce.

“Along with housing, renewable energy and infrastructure, India will also cooperate for the development of agriculture, dairy and fisheries in Sri Lanka. India will also participate in the unique digital identity project in Sri Lanka,” PM Modi said.

India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement soon

PM Modi said further said that during the meeting with Dissanayake, it has been decided that soon India and Sri Lanka will finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

“We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” the Prime Minister said.

Soon ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar

PM Modi highlighted that ferry service and Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have boosted tourism and strengthened India-Sri Lanka’s cultural ties.

“We have decided that after the successful launch of Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai ferry services, now ferry service will be started between Rameswaram in India and Talaimannar,” he said.

“Work will also be done to realise the immense potential of tourism through the Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail of Sri Lanka,” the PM said.

“We also talked about construction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Dissanayake told me about his inclusive approach. We hope the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of Tamilians and fulfil its commitment to full implementation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and to conduct the Provincial Council Elections,” PM Modi said.

‘India will remain trusted & reliable partner’

“I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner in its efforts to develop Sri Lanka in many ways,” PM Modi said.