Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said, “We were able to strengthen our friendship. We have already signed agreements on several subjects.” The visiting Sri Lankan President said that this was his first official visit and it has given very fruitful results. “Relations between our countries will strengthen,” he added. >Read more
Wonderful to have President Maithripala Sirisena in India. India-Sri Lanka ties are set to grow further. >pic.twitter.com/GlAcErhjQH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >February 16, 2015
President Sirisena & I discussed co-operation in several issues including trade, energy, culture & defence. >http://t.co/loGf2j7kfw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >February 16, 2015
2:42 pm: List of Agreements/MoUs signed during the State Visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India:
S.No | Agreement/MoU | Indian Signatory | Sri Lankan Signatory | |
1. | Agreement between Sri Lanka and India on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. The Agreement would facilitate cooperation in the transfer and exchange of knowledge and expertise, sharing of resources, capacity building and training of personnel in peaceful uses of nuclear energy including use of radioisotopes, nuclear safety, radiation safety, nuclear security, radioactive waste management and nuclear and radiological disaster mitigation and environmental protection. | Shri Ratan Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy | Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Power & Energy | |
2. | Programme of Cultural Cooperation between Sri Lanka and India for the years 2015 - 18. The Programme of Cultural Cooperation for 2015-18 seeks to enhance the level of cooperation in a wide variety of fields such as performing arts, visual arts, libraries, museums, archives & cultural documentation, archaeology, handicrafts, publications and professional exchanges. | Shri Ravindra Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Culture | H.E. Sudharshan Seneviratne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi | |
3. | MoU on the Establishment of Nalanda University. The MoU would enable Sri Lanka to participate in the Nalanda University Project. | Dr. S. Jaishankar Foreign Secretary | Ms. Chitranganee Wagiswara Secretary, Foreign Affairs | |
4. | Work-Plan 2014-2015 under the MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture between India and Sri Lanka. The Work Plan would facilitate bilateral cooperation in Agro Processing, Agricultural extension, horticulture, agricultural machinery, training in farm mechanization, livestock diseases, etc. between relevant institutes and organizations from both countries. | Shri Ashish Bahuguna, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation | H.E. Sudharshan Seneviratne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi |
2.36 pm: This is my first official visit and it has given very fruitful results. Relations between our countries will strengthen: Sirisena
2.35 pm: Modi's visit will be an honour for our country: Sirisena
2:34 pm : We came to several conclusions to strengthen our friendship and ties between the two countries: Sirisena
2:34 pm: We were able to strengthen our friendship. We have already signed agreements on several subjects: Sirisena
2:32 pm: As President of Sri Lanka, this is my first state visit and I selected India: Sirisena
2:30 pm: We are at a moment of an unprecedented opportunity to take our bilateral relations to a new level: Modi
2:29 pm: President Sirisena invited me to visit Srilanka, will visit the beautiful country in March: Modi
2:29 pm: We are at a moment of an unprecedented opportunity to take our bilateral relations to a new level: Modi
2:29 pm: President Sirisena and I attach the highest importance to the fishermen's issue: Modi
2:28 pm: The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is yet another demonstration of our mutual trust: Modi
2:27 pm: India-Sri Lanka Commerce Secretaries will meet soon to review our bilateral commercial relations:Modi
2:26 pm: We are pleased to be Sri Lanka's largest trading partner, I express my support for balanced trade in both directions: Modi
2:25 pm: President Sirisena and I had excellent discussion on bilateral relations and international issues: Modi
2:24 pm: We discussed expansion of cooperation in energy sector both conventional and renewable: Modi
2:20 pm: India is SL's closest neighbour and friend. Goodwill and support of people of India will always be with you: Modi
2:00 pm: A privilege to welcome President Sirisena. Honured that you chose India as your 1st overseas destination: Modi
India-Sri Lanka delegations exchange views on enhancing bilateral ties over a working lunch. >pic.twitter.com/kMwcIpwPYY
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) >February 16, 2015While investment will be a key theme, it is learnt that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which New Delhi has been pushing for, may not figure in this round of discussions. >Read
With a promise for a “new beginning” in India-Sri Lanka ties, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening.
This is Mr. Sirisena’s first visit abroad after he defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa in January, and his spokesperson Lakshman Kiriella described it as a visit “mainly to establish a good rapport with New Delhi.” >Read
