India on Friday suggested to its southern maritime neighbour Sri Lanka that a “mechanism” be developed to “find a permanent solution to the issue of fishermen straying into each other’s waters”, even
India on Friday suggested to its southern maritime neighbour Sri Lanka that a “mechanism” be developed to “find a permanent solution to the issue of fishermen straying into each other’s waters”, even as New Delhi appreciated Colombo’s efforts to “promote reconciliation in Sri Lanka so that all sections of Sri Lankan society can live with equality and dignity”.
This was stated in a meeting between PM Narendra Modi and visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Friday evening in the capital. The focus on reconciliation refers to the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils in the island nation. The Sri Lankan President is on a “working visit” to India. Apart from New Delhi, he will also visit Ujjain and Sanchi. Prime Minister Modi hosted a working dinner in honour of the Sri Lankan President at Hyderabad House. Mr Modi will accompany President Sirisena to Ujjain Saturday. It is unclear whether India has raised the issue with Lanka of certain reports that claimed that Lankans had started construction of a church at the Katchathivu island ceded by India to Lanka in 1974 and also reports that the Sri Lankans were likely to instal a naval detachment on the island. “PM Modi stressed on the need to develop a mechanism and find a permanent solution to the issue of fishermen straying into each other’s waters,” a statement read.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated President Sirisena’s efforts to promote reconciliation in Sri Lanka so that all sections of Sri Lankan society can live with equality and dignity,” an official Indian government statement read.
“The Prime Minister met President Maithripala Sirisena over a working dinner which he hosted in his honour at Hyderabad House. The Prime Minister said that President Sirisena’s visit for the Simhastha Kumbh in Ujjain was very significant as it showed the deep civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka. President Sirisena thanked the Prime Minister for receiving him and expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Government of India to Sri Lanka, in particular the various ndevelopmental projects being implemented by India. The two leaders discussed all issues of bilateral interest, in particular the problems faced by Indian fishermen, the status of various economic projects being implemented by India and efforts to further increase trade and investment. In this context, both leaders apppreciated the meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission led by the two foreign ministers which had met after a gap of three years,” the statement said.
On Thursday, India had asked its High Commissioner in Colombo to provide it with “more details” on reports that the Sri Lankan Government had laid the foundation stone for constructing a new church on Kachchativu Island without informing India and also reports that Sri Lankan Navy is likely to install a naval detachment on Kachchativu Island. The island was ceded by India to Sri Lanka in 1974.
In a statement on Thursday, ahead of the Sri Lankan President’s visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said, “Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is making a working visit to India on May 13 and 14. He will address the valedictory session at the Vaicharick Mahakumbh which is being held as part of the Simhastha Mahakumbh in Ujjain on the 14th of May. He will also visit Sanchi where he will tour the World famous Sanchi Stupa and attend a function by the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka during which he will unveil a statute of Angarika Dharmapala. The President of Sri Lanka will also be in Delhi tomorrow where Prime Minister will host a dinner in his honour. We are confident that this visit by H.E. Sirisena will contribute to further strengthening the close and cooperative relations between India and Sri Lanka.”
