News
Indian assistance to Sri Lanka totals SLR 517 billion, including SLR 92 bn in grants
Discussion on Batticaloa hospital project underway (pic courtesy Indian HC)
India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around SLR 517 billion, including SLR 92 billion under grants, the Indian High Commission said in a media statement recently.
The following is the text of the statement that primarily dealt with the ongoing construction of a Surgical Unit to Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa:
“The Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting for Construction of Surgical Unit to Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa, chaired by Mr. Vinod K. Jacob, Deputy High Commissioner, held at High Commission of India on 19 August 2020, reviewed the progress of implementation of the Project. The meeting was attended by the officials of the High Commission of India, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Department of External Resources and Department of Project Management and Monitoring of Ministry of Finance, Project Consultant from Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) and Contractor from Malwatte Constructions.
“The project worth SLR 262 Million is being implemented as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) in Sri Lanka. The modernization and improvement of infrastructure for surgeries will benefit the people in and around Eastern Province. India remains committed to further strengthening the health infrastructure of Sri Lanka by implementation of grant projects like 1990 Suwasariya Emergency Ambulance Service, Construction of sanitation units in Batticaloa. India donated 25 tonnes of emergency medicines and medical kits during COVID pandemic to Sri Lanka. A special assistance of USD 1 million through SAARC Development Fund is also being provided for setting up of COVID isolation ward for the National Hospital in Kandy.
“These projects are in continuation of Government of India’s people-oriented development cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka. India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around SLR 517 billion and among these, SLR 92 billion under grants.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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