Jaishankar meets President, PM and Mahinda; discusses economic crisis

COLOMBO (News 1st) - India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (20) morning where both sides had agreed to implement a joint program between Sri Lanka and India.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the Indian External Affairs Minister at the President's Office where the duo engaged in cordial discussions.

Prior to the official meeting, President Wickremesinghe hosted the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar for breakfast and tea at his official residence at Paget Road, Colombo.

During the official meeting held between the President and Indian Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, many political, economic and social issues as well as investment matters between the two countries were discussed at length.

During this discussion, special attention was paid to the debt-restructuring program in Sri Lanka which had received a positive response from the Indian government.

The Indian External Affairs Minister recalled that in 1991, during the tenure of former Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, India had to face an economic crisis similar to what Sri Lanka is currently facing. He added that the Indian Government overcame the crisis by pledging the government’s gold reserves.

Therefore, Dr Jaishankar said that India has a good understanding of the situation Sri Lanka is currently facing and said that the Indian government will provide all possible support to solve the current economic problems faced by Sri Lanka.

Jaishankar meets PM:

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also met with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on "Bilateral Relations, Joint Projects, and Indian assitance to Sri Lanka."

Dr. Jaishankar tweeted that both sides discussed bilateral cooperation including in transport and education. Also exchanged views on intensifying people to people relations.

The Office of the Prime Minister said that the visiting Indian Minister had assured the Prime Minister that India would extend all possible support for Sri Lanka to overcome the economic crisis.

Prime Minister Gunawardena has extended an invitation for Indian investments in the country's renewable energy sector.

At the same meeting, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha had thanked India's support to print 19 million school text books for 4.2 million Sri Lankan students.

Mahinda Rajapaksa speaks to Jaishankar:

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also met with Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo.

Rajapaksa said that he had successful discussions with India's External Affairs Minister and they discussed a range of issues of mutual interest. 

He also thanked the Indian governemtn for it's steadfast commitment in assisting Sri Lanka during its troubled times.