Nov 30, 2019 (LBO) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated Sri Lanka to implement the 13th amendment to the constitution and expected that Sri Lanka will pursue the process of reconciliation, to fulfill the aspirations of the Tamils for equality, justice, peace and respect.
Delivering his remarks at the joint press meet with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in New Delhi, Modi asserted that India will become a trusted partner for development throughout Sri Lanka including the North and East.
The state visit to India is the first overseas visit by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa since his assumption of office as President of Sri Lanka, this month.
Prime Minister Modi assured the President of India's commitment to a development partnership with Sri Lanka in accordance with the priorities of the people of Sri Lanka.
“A new $ 400 million line of credit will give a boost to infrastructure and development in Sri Lanka. I am confident that the Sri Lankan economy will benefit as well as this line of credit will also accelerate the project cooperation of mutual benefit between the two countries,” he said.
“We are happy that under the Indian housing project, 46,000 houses have been constructed for the internally displaced in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. 14,000 for Indian-origin Tamils in the up-country region, construction of houses is progressing well.”
The two countries have agreed to use the previously announced 100 million dollar credit line for solar projects in Sri Lanka. Indian PM also announced a special line of credit of 50 million dollars to Sri Lanka to combat terrorism.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Sri Lanka. During the visit President Rajapaksa met President Ram Nath Kovind and met with other Indian dignitaries.
Sri Lankan President accompanied by his Secretary P.B. Jayasundera, Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, Treasury Secretary S R Attygalle and Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga.