Sri Lankan president Dissanayake meets PM Modi, vows not to let the country’s territory be used for anti-India activities

That Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s first overseas visit after assuming office is to India signals the importance the new Sri Lankan President has attached to the relationship.

A joint statement framed this in the context of a safe and secure Indian Ocean Region. “Recognising shared security interests of India and Sri Lanka, both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency and giving primacy to each other’s security concerns. As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region,” it said.

“India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, President Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability,” the statement said.

This is seen as a thinly-veiled reference to China’s activities in the Indian Ocean Region. It comes amid Chinese ship visits to Sri Lanka and China’s development of Hambantota port in the island nation.

“As a trusted and reliable partner, India conveyed its continued commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka in advancing its defence and maritime security needs and extending necessary assistance towards augmenting its capabilities to address its maritime challenges,” the statement said.

The two sides also agreed to “explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation”, provision of “defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities”, intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges; enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailor-made training programmes, wherever required, according to the joint statement.

Modi flagged the importance of maritime security, cyber security and counter-terrorism among issues to be discussed through the Colombo Security Conclave mechanism.

On the issue of Tamil minorities, Modi said they discussed “reconciliation and reconstruction” in Sri Lanka, and expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minorities. “We hope that Sri Lanka will fully implement the Constitution and will fulfil its commitment to hold provincial council elections,” he said.

However, the statement skipped any reference to implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which gives powers to Tamil minorities — a longstanding demand of the Indian government. This assumes significance since Dissanayake has not supported its implementation, and also opposed any investigation into the alleged war crimes during the civil war between the LTTE and Sri Lankan forces.

The Sri Lankan President, however, highlighted unity, social protection and sustainable development as the cornerstones of his administration’s vision.

“Social protection and durable development are the cornerstones on which the people of our countries have elected both of us to power,” he said. Reiterating the inclusive nature of governance in Sri Lanka, he said, “People have placed their faith in us. The people in all parts of the country, who belong to all communities, creeds and religions have voted for us. Diversity is the cornerstone of democracy.”

On the issue of fishermen, Dissanayake said they need to find a “durable” and “sustainable solution”. “We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we must proceed with a humanitarian approach to this matter,” Modi said.

The joint statement said: “Acknowledging the issues faced by fishermen on both sides and factoring the livelihood concerns, the leaders agreed on the need to continue to address these in a humanitarian manner. In this regard, they also underscored the need to take measures to avoid any aggressive behaviour or violence… the leaders expressed confidence that through dialogue and constructive engagements, a long-lasting and mutually acceptable solution could be achieved. Given the special relationship between India and Sri Lanka, they instructed officials to continue their engagement to address these issues.”

On the broader relationship, Modi said the two sides have adopted a “futuristic vision” and the economic partnership will focus on “investment-led growth and connectivity”. In this context, he said, “We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be important pillars of the partnership.”

Dissanayake expressed gratitude to India for helping Sri Lanka during the “unprecedented economic crisis” two years ago. Modi said India had supported Lanka through lines of credit and grants worth about US$ 5 billion.

On economic and energy cooperation, the two sides agreed to boost energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines. Work will be done to establish electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines, Modi said, adding that India will supply liquefied natural gas to the island nation’s power plants.

He also announced a ferry service between Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to boost connectivity between the two nations. They also discussed the Ramayana circuit and the Buddhist circuit for tourism in each other’s countries.

Dissanayake, who also met President Droupadi Murmu, is scheduled to participate in a business event in Delhi and visit Bodhgaya too.

The two sides signed pacts on avoidance of double taxation and capacity building & training.

Dissanayake, who also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, invited Modi for a bilateral visit to Sri Lanka.