* ‘There are two kinds of people in the world; those who have been to Sri Lanka and those who will be going to Sri Lanka’

* ‘Sri Lanka is a salient element of our neighborhood first policy’

* ‘Blood is thicker than water in our diplomatic bonding’

* ‘It is important to have SL’s real friends standing by it at this crucial time’

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar on 17th March 2023 said in New Delhi something memorable about Sri Lanka that would help make a catchy travel slogan to exponentially boost Sri Lanka Tourism if it is effectively used by Sri Lankan tourism authorities.

The Indian diplomat and politician who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977 and during his diplomatic career served in different capacities in India and abroad made this remark while addressing a high-profile international audience at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi where more than 100 foreign diplomats were present to witness the launch of Geoffrey Bawa Exhibition.

Dr. Jaishankar told the audience that he was delighted to be at the opening of the exhibition which showcased the work of the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of Indo-Lanka diplomatic relations.

“Now there are two kinds of people in the world; those who have been to Sri Lanka and those who will be going to Sri Lanka. I fortunately belong to the first category as someone who has had an association with this country for more than 30 years. When I think of Sri Lanka, the names, the images, the associations, Geoffrey Bawa very naturally comes to my mind. I am very happy that this exhibition is being organized as part of the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of India- Sri Lanka diplomatic relations. And when the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India, Milinda Moragoda mentioned to me that this event would be taking place today, I told him that even though parliament would be in session, I was sure many of us would find the time to be there given the importance of this exhibition. As for Geoffrey Bawa, most of us here need no introduction.

He was the father of the tropical modernist movement. Generally, foreign diplomats visiting Sri Lanka get the opportunity to go and visit the parliament building in that country. [The Sri Lankan parliament building remains the work that architect Geoffrey Bawa is best known for designing] And what you see is something which is very revolutionary and of a style and the manner which actually inspires many other parts of the world. And today I’d say Geoffrey Bawa’s achievements are not just in Sri Lanka, and not just what he has done in India. Many others whom he had inspired have paid tribute to him for the iconic role he played. I am very confident that this exhibition will promote the already very close bonding between our two countries. Even though our two countries are linked through the societies over the millennia in a variety of ways in our languages, in our way of life and in our modes of customs, I believe that exhibitions of this nature which promote more contemporary understanding of the societies and appreciation of the legendary figures in our countries is something that is particularly important,” he said.

“High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda during his speech mentioned some of the challenges Sri Lanka has had to encounter. And I can only say that it is very natural for India to step forward during this time. In fact, Sanjay Kulatunga, Trustee, Geoffrey Bawa Trust and I were talking and I reminded him of the saying that blood is thicker than water. For us, it was natural at the moment of difficulty that we should see what we could do within our resources, capabilities and efforts to stand by Sri Lanka at this very difficult time,” EAM said.

“I have always believed and have said so in Colombo and on other occasions that Sri Lanka would come through this challenge. But it is important to have your real friends standing by you at this time. And I am also pleased to see that in recent years even as our cooperation has expanded, we have given a note of attention to the cultural facets of our relationship. This is visible in the grants that we have given to promote the Buddhist ties and towards the restoration of temples, for the construction of the Jaffna Cultural Centre and in the many exchanges that we promote between our two countries. Our Culture is one expression of people-to-people exchanges. And today we are advancing many others including flights between Chennai and Jaffna which have resumed. We are now looking at more seamless travel in other forms between South India and Sri Lanka. For us, Sri Lanka is a very integral element, a salient element of our Neighborhood First Policy and of our SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy, and Sri Lanka is very much part of our shared heritage and history,” EAM said concluding his remarks about Sri Lanka.

Six Sri Lankan journalists visiting New Delhi had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Jaishankar on Indian soil whilst on a study tour of modern infrastructure in India from March 13-19. The tour was sponsored by StratNewsGlobal.com and BharatShakti.in at the request of the Sri Lankan High Commission in India.