Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday (17 December) praised the joint statement issued by India and Sri Lanka during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India, calling it a milestone in strengthening bilateral ties.
The joint statement followed comprehensive discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Dissanayake in New Delhi on Monday. Wickremesinghe welcomed the move, emphasising its potential to deepen Indo-Lanka cooperation.
“I also commend President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for advancing the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) and the development of Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub,” he said in a statement.
Dissanayake’s visit to Delhi marked his first overseas trip since being elected president in mid-September. His party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has historically been sceptical of Indian involvement in Sri Lanka, frequently opposing agreements like the ETCA.
Wickremesinghe, who pioneered the ETCA amidst JVP resistance, highlighted the significance of the new developments in Indo-Lanka relations.
The joint statement outlined agreements on energy connectivity, including the establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection and a multi-product pipeline for affordable and reliable energy. It also proposed exploring a framework Agreement on Defence Cooperation.
