Conclusion of projects in SL will give confidence to Delhi - Dr. Jaishankar

COLOMBO (News 1st); Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had emphasized the need for a practical conclusion of the number of projects pending implementation in Sri Lanka.

He had indicated that it would give more confidence to New Delhi to move forward in enhancing relations.

Dr. Jaishankar made these comments when he called on Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris on Wednesday (22) on the sidelines of the U. N. General Assembly in New York, USA.

Moreover, Minister Jaishankar confirmed that India is willing to work with Sri Lanka in many different ways, including enhancing people-to-people contacts.

The Indian Foreign Minister also highlighted the need to engage with all stakeholders, including different political parties.

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris briefed the Indian Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on mechanisms implemented by the Government to ensure justice to all survivors of the war which ended in 2009.

Foreign Minister Prof. Peiris also spoke with the Indian Foreign Minister on the situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic and the successful measures being implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka to control the spread of the virus.

Emphasizing about the pragmatic and tangible action taken by the Government to resolve residual matters after the end of the conflict in May 2009, the Minister cited the fact that the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry and Justice Ministry were working collaboratively to address key issues, such as revisiting the Prevention of Terrorism Act, releasing of LTTE prisoners, and empowering independent institutions such as the Office of Missing Persons, Office for Reparations, Office of National Unity and Reconciliation, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the SDG Council.

Minister Peiris indicated that substantial progress had been made on many fronts and that efforts were continuing, and emphasized that Sri Lanka cannot accept any external mechanisms active on the ground, when robust domestic mechanisms are vigorously moving forward, stating that the nation was greatly encouraged by many countries standing firmly with the principled position taken by Sri Lanka that resolutions against countries cannot work without the consent of those countries.

Foreign Minister Peiris further indicated that there is a strong political will to move forward in many different areas of bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.