US$ 61.5 Mn grant to modernise KKS Port
India to convert US$ 20 Mn LOC project payments into a grant:
Invites President Dissanayake to a state visit there :
To gift 22 diesel locomotives to Sri Lankan Railways :
Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar yesterday informed his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath that India has offered to modernise the Kankesanthurai port through a grant to the tune of US$ 61.5 million and payments for seven completed Line of Credit projects exceeding US$ 20 million could be converted into grants.
Dr. Jaishankar made this announcement when he called on Minister Vijitha Herath at the latter’s Ministry yesterday morning.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo said the visiting External Affairs Minister conveyed India’s strong commitment to advance bilateral co-operation based on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook.
The visiting Minister extended invitation to the President on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India at a mutually convenient date. He also assured that India’s ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka through projects of Sri Lankan priority will be continued. It was also revealed at the meeting that the Indian government had decided to gift 22 diesel locomotives to the Sri Lankan Railways. In his meeting with the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,
Dr.S.Jaishankar spoke about ongoing initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development.
He highlighted that they would contribute to economic sustainability and provide new streams of revenue while expressing India’s willingness to expedite the conclusion of its bilateral MoU with Sri Lanka.
The President has reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would never allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India’s security interests.“President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that India’s economic support is critical to realize his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people”, the High Commission statement said.
The Statement said that the President also referred to the potential of export of renewable energy to India which could help reduce production costs in Sri Lanka and create additional resources. “The President also noted the contribution of Indian tourists and recognized that this has the potential to grow further”, the statement said . “On Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, the visiting External Affairs Minister recalled that India had been supportive of Sri Lanka’s economic stability and recovery from the very start. It was the first country to give financing assurances which enabled the IMF to finalise the Extended Fund Facility. He confirmed India’s support in the Official Creditors’ Committee in respect of Sri Lanka’s agreement with International Sovereign Bond holders”. He appreciated the release of 50 Indian fishermen yesterday while stressing that a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries and of the Fishermen Associations would be timely. He also raised the concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen who are detained in Sri Lanka. He pressed for their early release, as well as of their boats and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on them. A humanitarian approach focused on livelihood issues would create a durable basis for addressing this matter, the release said.
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