High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Ministry of Economic Development, Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, visited India from 12 – 15 December and held wide-ranging consultations with Indian officials. 

Dr Jayasundera met the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Finance Secretary of the Department of Expenditure R.S. Gujral, Commerce Secretary S.R. Rao, Secretary Textiles Kiran Dhingra, Chairman and Managing Director of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Rahul Khullar, and Chairman and Managing Director of EXIM Bank of India T.C. Ranganathan, 

Discussions focused on the state of the economy of both countries, the external economic environment, cooperation between India and Sri Lanka on trade and investment including expansion of cooperation in these sectors, joint venture projects, EXIM bank financing and credit lines, and infrastructure projects that are being carried out in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance. 

The wide-ranging meetings that were held offered an opportunity to build on discussions that had taken place between the two countries regarding several projects and procurement programmes at different levels and explore new areas to deepen and broaden economic engagement. Follow-up on decisions taken during the recent visit to Sri Lanka by the Indian Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Ananda Sharma, formed an important part of the discussions. At all meetings, there was recognition of the potential benefit that would accrue to both countries in working together to meet common challenges such as generation of employment, sustaining growth, alleviation of poverty, and ensuring macroeconomic stability.