Won’t allow terror havens, Rajapaksa assures India

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 5

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday assured India that his country would not be allowed to be used for “any activity” that could pose a threat to India’s security, as he explained Colombo’s ties with China in a “comprehensive manner” to Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and exchanged views with him on a wide range of issues, including post-pandemic revival of the economy.

The extensive discussions held during Shringla’s meetings with top Sri Lankan leaders and the joint inauguration of development cooperation projects will give further impetus to close and friendly bilateral ties, said an official news release.

During his three-day visit to Sri Lanka that ended on Tuesday, the Foreign Secretary called on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister GL Peiris.

During a meeting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he underscored the importance India attached to expeditiously taking forward mutually beneficial projects, including proposals to enhance air and sea connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. At the same time, Shringla reiterated India’s position on the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including devolution of powers and the holding of Provincial Council elections.

US diplomat to meet Shringla today

• Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State, is on a three-day visit to India
• Her visit is part of the follow-up of the September 24 meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden
• She will meet Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday to review the India-US bilateral agenda
• They will exchange views on regional issues pertaining to South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and contemporary global matters