COLOMBO/NEW DELHI, JUNE 20 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday joined Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the virtual commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and the virtual handing over of 154 houses built under the Govt of India housing schemes. He also held talks with the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Lanka is built under a USD 6 million grant from India. It includes a centre at Navy Head Quarters in Colombo, a sub-centre in Hambantota and unmanned installations at Galle, Arugambay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa, Point Pedro and Mollikulam

President Wickremesinghe and EAM Jaishankar also launched, virtually, 106 houses in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale under the Indian Housing Project, as well as 24 houses in each model village in Colombo and Trincomalee.

Later, during his call on the President, the EAM conveyed the greetings of PM Narendra Modi and appreciated the progress made on various bilateral projects and initiatives. They also discussed the way forward for India-Sri Lanka cooperation, especially in power, energy, connectivity, port infrastructure and tourism sectors.
In posts on X, the EAM said:

“Joined Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers and senior officials at the virtual commissioning of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre

(MRCC) and virtual handing over of 154 houses under GOl housing schemes.”
“Honoured to call on Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Appreciated the progress made on various bilateral projects and initiatives. Under President @RW_UNP’s guidance, discussed the way forward for the India-Sri Lanka cooperation, especially in power, energy, connectivity, port infrastructure, aviation, digital, health, food security, education and tourism sectors.

“Committed to working for the steady development of our traditionally close and friendly ties.”
Later, the EAM called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

“Pleased to call on PM Dinesh Gunawardena of Sri Lanka today afternoon.
Reiterated India’s strong support through development and connectivity initiatives.

Confident that our development assistance and capacity building programs will keep delivering for the aspirations of people of Sri Lanka.”

EAM and his delegation are to also have a meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is EAM’s first bilateral visit after the formation of the new Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

⁠Reaffirming India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, the visit underlines India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbour and time -tested friend, a statement said.

The visit will add momentum to connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors.(UNI)