Pathfinder Foundation and RIS New Delhi seek to deepen bilateral ties

Pathfinder Foundation together with ASEAN – India Center of Research and Information Systems (AIC), New Delhi, Asian Confluence (AC) and the India Council of World Affairs (ICWA) conducted a web dialogue on India – Sri Lanka Relations recently. The webinar ‘Deepening India-Sri Lanka Ties in the New World Order’ consisted of a stellar line up of participants including senior academics, experts, and seasoned and experienced diplomats currently serving at apex level.

The Keynote speech at the inaugural session was made by Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka and the valedictory address by Gopal  Baglay, High

Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. The discussion was chaired by Amb. Ashok K. Kantha, Director, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), who was the former Indian High Commissioner to to Sri Lanka.

The web dialogue, which primarily focused on strengthening economic ties between the two countries saw Dr. Ganesh Wignarajah, Senior Research Associate, Overseas Development Institute, London; Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, Founding Chair, LIRNEasia and Mr. Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director, Sunshine Holdings PLC and Deputy Chairman,

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce presenting Sri Lanka’s perspective. The Indian speakers comprised of Dr. Samatha Mallempati, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA); Prof. Biswajit Nag, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Mr. M. S. Negi, Vice President (Credit), State Bank of India (SBI), Colombo.