High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan Relations

President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his warm congratulations to H.E. Narendra Modi, who was sworn in for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong Indo-Sri Lankan relations. 

The swearing-in ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi yesterday (09), was a grand event, attended by President Wickremesinghe at the special invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several regional leaders, including Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal, President of the Republic Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, Vice President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay. President Ranil Wickremesinghe received high recognition from these leaders. 

After taking the oath of office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posed for a group photo with the regional leaders, with President Wickremesinghe seated next to him.

Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and other state leaders attended a dinner organized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The Indian media gave special attention to President Wickremesinghe's presence at the swearing-in ceremony, with billboards displaying images of him and Prime Minister Modi prominently placed around major roundabouts in New Delhi.

President Wickremesinghe was accompanied at the event by President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardene, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Kshenuka Senewiratne, Government Information Director General Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne, and President's Private Secretary Sandra Perera.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

• Bangladesh Prime Minister expresses satisfaction at the successful recovery of the Sri Lankan economy under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe
• President Ranil Wickremesinghe pledges to embark on a tour of Bangladesh following the election

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Bangladesh's commitment to support Sri Lanka's agricultural modernization program.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are currently in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders engaged in bilateral discussions this morning (10), where Prime Minister Hasina assured her country’s commitment to assist Sri Lanka to modernised agriculture.

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On 29 May 2024 Foreign Minister Ali Sabry held a follow up discussion with Russian Ambassador Levan S Dzhagaryan relating to the urgent situation regarding the Sri Lankans engaged in the Russia – Ukraine conflict. This meeting was subsequent to the previous meeting held with the Russian Ambassador on 07 May 2024. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the Russian Ambassador of the decision taken by H E President, Ranil Wickremesinghe to nominate a high-level delegation led by State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Tharaka Balasuriya to visit the Russian Federation to engage in discussions with the Russian authorities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also informed Ambassador Dzhagaryan of the action taken by the Sri Lanka Embassy in the Russian Federation seeking the relevant appointments for the Sri Lanka delegation.  The Russian Ambassador shared the concerns of the Sri Lanka side regarding the welfare of its nationals and assured the Minister that all efforts will be made to facilitate the visiting delegation.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also informed the Russian Ambassador that a senior Foreign Service officer Ambassador P M Amza will assume duties with immediate effect as Charge d’Affaires of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow.

In view of the urgency of the situation, Ambassador Dzhagaryan expressed his support to work closely with Sri Lanka to resolve this matter.  As an immediate step, Ambassador Dzhagaryan informed that henceforth Russia will do more thorough visa interviews before the issuance of visit visas for ex-servicemen as it is observed that many of those who left for Russia have travelled on visit visas.  Minister Sabry also reiterated that Sri Lankan authorities have repeated their appeal to the public not to fall victim to human traffickers and to refrain from engaging with illegal channels of employment. 

Prior to meeting the Russian Ambassador, the Foreign Minister also held a discussion with the families of Sri Lankans engaged as combatants in the Russia – Ukraine conflict in the presence of parliamentarians Dayasiri Jayasekara and Gamini Waleboda at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28^th May 2024 and expressed the Government’s commitment to ensuring their well-being and safe return.

In parallel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to the Ukraine authorities in discussing assistance, release and safe return of the Sri Lankans allegedly deployed in the Ukraine army.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

29 May 2024