After returning to Colombo, the president of Sri Lanka considers his “successful” trip to India and his “productive discussions” with Prime Minister Modi
INN/Colombo, @Infodeaofficial
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the president of Sri Lanka, described his three-day trip to India as “successful” on Wednesday, highlighting the “productive discussions” he had with the Indian business community and leadership during the trip. This was his first official overseas visit since taking office in September. “Returned last night following a fruitful three-day official visit to India at President Droupadi Murmu’s request. After returning home, the president of Sri Lanka wrote on X, “Had fruitful conversations with Indian ministers, business leaders, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Along with Dissanayake, the delegation included Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath, and Minister of Foreign Employment and Tourism. The president of Sri Lanka later told the parliament that his government had successfully reached a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the third review to increase the monthly income tax threshold from Rs 100,000 to Rs 150,000.
Local media highlighted Dissanayake’s speech in the Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, where he also declared that the government intends to raise the country’s foreign exchange reserves to USD 15.1 billion by 2028. “He also expressed firm confidence that the challenges faced in 2022 will not be repeated in the country’s future,” the media reported. Following bilateral talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday, the president of Sri Lanka claimed that his visit had cleared the path for future growth in the two neighbours’ collaboration.
“Two years ago, we encountered an extraordinary economic crisis, and India provided us with invaluable assistance in overcoming that obstacle. Since then, it has also been of great assistance to us, particularly in the process of debt-free structure. I am aware that Sri Lanka holds a very important position in Indian foreign policy. Dissanayake said, “PM Modi promised us his complete support and that he will always defend Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, he reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s declared stance that its territory must never be utilised in a way that jeopardises both regional stability and India’s security.
The Prime Minister of India has received my commitment that we will not permit any use of our territory that would be harmful to India’s interests. The visiting president of Sri Lanka said during the joint press conference, “I want to reassure India that we will continue to support them and that our cooperation with them will undoubtedly flourish.” During his speech at President Droupadi Murmu’s State Banquet, he emphasised that the ties between Sri Lanka and India go beyond diplomacy and physical closeness because they are characterised by mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared future.
“Our collaboration is strong because we work together. We can tackle the new and changing issues that cut across national boundaries by working together, whether it’s tackling environmental issues, fighting terrorism, or guaranteeing economic expansion that benefits all people everywhere. As a leader of the global south, Sri Lanka is steadfast in its commitment to developing closer ties with India in order to take advantage of the 21st century’s potential and ensure that future generations can prosper in a world that is interconnected and interdependent,” Dissanayake stated.
The president of Sri Lanka travelled to Bodh Gaya on Tuesday, where he paid respects at the Mahabodhi Temple and the revered Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the location of Prince Siddhartha’s enlightenment and blessings. One of the four primary holy locations connected to Gautama Buddha’s life, Bodh Gaya is extremely important to Buddhists. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya received the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2002. In a statement released by the Lankan President’s office, the President was blessed by Venerable Pelwatte Seewalee Thero, General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, and Venerable Rathmalwala Sumiththananda Nayake Thero, Head of the Sarnath Centre.