High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Sri Lanka’s new Magampura Harbour and the South Colombo Terminal of Colombo Port will serve global shipping and they will be important transhipment ports for the Indian subcontinent, High Commissioner Prasad Kariwasam said. Delivering a speech titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka in the Post Conflict Era in the Context of Asia’s Economic Ascendance and Strategic Importance in the 21^st Century’ he said that the two ports would cater for large container ships and that would be highly beneficial to global shipping.

 The speech was delivered at the United Services Institution in New Delhi and a large number of senior officials of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and academics and research students of Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses were present. While Gen H S Sindhu of USI welcomed the High Commissioner the meeting was chaired by former Indian Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Lalith Man Singh.

The speech was delivered at the United Services Institution in New Delhi and a large number of senior officials of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force and academics and research students of Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses were present. While Gen H S Sindhu of USI welcomed the High Commissioner the meeting was chaired by Former Indian Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Lalith Man Singh.

 Mr Kariyawasam emphasised the Strategic importance of Indian Ocean at a time when India and China emerging as economic powers. “90% global commerce and 65% oil transportation are sea dependant. 70% total traffic of petroleum products passes through Indian Ocean. Hence, opportunities for Sri Lanka as a major shipping hub is immense.”

The High Commissioner explained the steps taken by the government to develop the war ravaged North and East and said that of the 300,000 internally displaced persons only about 10,000 remains in the IDP Centres and that too by choice because they find the living conditions are quite satisfactory in them. However, they too would be resettled once the landmines are cleared and security in their villages is assured.

Referring to reconciliation efforts, Mr Kariyawasam said that the government appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has held many sittings in Colombo and North and East and would make recommendations. Action is being taken to take measures to implement the recommendations made in LLRC interim report of the LLRC.

The High Commissioner, in answer to a question, said that the political solution will have to be a home grown one and already structured negotiations with the Tamil p[arties including the TNA have begun. He said that Sri Lanka consider relations with India is extremely important and as President Rajapaksa said, ‘Sri Lanka has many friends, but India is a relation’. Mr Kariyawasam said that the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka has resulted in substantial increase in bilateral trade. He thanked India for generous assistance provided for resettlement of displaced persons in the North.