FS Misri meets Lanka’s top leadership

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday met Sri Lanka’s top leadership and discussed issues of mutual interest and reviewed key bilateral projects, including Indian-assisted development projects in the island nation.

Misri, who arrived in Colombo for a day-long visit, called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. Their “discussions focused on issues of mutual interest and review of key bilateral projects, including India-assisted development projects in Sri Lanka,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a post on X.

“Following the meeting, both sides exchanged agreements on INR-denominated Lines of Credit for USD 350 mn, which form part of the $450 mn reconstruction package extended by India in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah.

The LoCs will support reconstruction, infrastructure development, and procurement requirements that arose in the aftermath of the cyclone,” it said. Misri also held a meeting with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath during which they reviewed ongoing cooperation in key priority areas.

He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

Foreign Secretary Misri also met his Sri Lankan counterpart Aruni Ranaraja and “discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, and ways to further deepen close bilateral ties,” the Indian mission said.

Misri reinforced Sri Lanka’s central role in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and in advancing Vision MAHASAGAR. Misri, who arrived in Colombo to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two countries, was received at the airport by the Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and senior officials from the Sri Lankan Ministry.