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High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, 15 October 2020.[/caption]
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The controversial East Container Terminal (ECT), which was to be developed by India, Japan, and Sri Lanka, was not discussed at Thursday's (15) meeting between High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, according to both parties.
When asked by The Sunday Morning whether the ECT was discussed at the meeting, Prime Minister's Media Secretary Rohan Weliwita said it was not. Indian High Commission Spokesperson Neha Singh told The Sunday Morning that whatever was discussed at the meeting was in the press releases issued by the High Commission and Prime Minister’s office.
The meeting was held following the Virtual Bilateral Summit (VBS) between the Indian Prime Minister and Sri Lanka held on 26 September. The meeting was held to seek the guidance of Rajapaksa to take further steps on the areas that were discussed during the VBS.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Additional Managing Director Upul Jayatissa said the SLPA had not yet received any update on the ECT from the Government yet.
Moreover, Ports and Shipping Ministry Secretary U.D.C. Jayalal told The Sunday Morning that the Ministry had not yet taken any decision with regard to the ECT.
When asked whether the Government or the Ministry is holding discussions regarding the ECT, he said there were no ongoing discussions within the Government as of yet.
Meanwhile, port trade unions are waiting for the Government’s decision on the terminal.
At the meeting at Temple Trees, the Indian High Commissioner noted several areas on which the two countries could collaborate, including water requirements in schools, sanitation needs, rainwater harvesting, building of toilets for deprived areas, and a project that could convert sewage into fertiliser. Rajapaksa had indicated that the lack of safe drinking water in certain parts of the country is the main concern, including the role it plays in chronic kidney disease. This is now a key priority for the Sri Lankan Government.
He had also noted that the lack of drinking water is a particularly serious problem in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka and requested the High Commissioner to look into any assistance that can be provided towards that end.
The Prime Minister had also requested India to look at the pharmaceutical sector and encourage Indian investors to establish research and manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka to help the country meet its medicinal drug requirements.
The High Commissioner stressed the significance of facilitating mutually beneficial trade and investment between India and Sri Lanka, which are close maritime neighbours and friends.
High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, 15 October 2020.[/caption]
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The controversial East Container Terminal (ECT), which was to be developed by India, Japan, and Sri Lanka, was not discussed at Thursday's (15) meeting between High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, according to both parties.
When asked by The Sunday Morning whether the ECT was discussed at the meeting, Prime Minister's Media Secretary Rohan Weliwita said it was not. Indian High Commission Spokesperson Neha Singh told The Sunday Morning that whatever was discussed at the meeting was in the press releases issued by the High Commission and Prime Minister’s office.
The meeting was held following the Virtual Bilateral Summit (VBS) between the Indian Prime Minister and Sri Lanka held on 26 September. The meeting was held to seek the guidance of Rajapaksa to take further steps on the areas that were discussed during the VBS.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Additional Managing Director Upul Jayatissa said the SLPA had not yet received any update on the ECT from the Government yet.
Moreover, Ports and Shipping Ministry Secretary U.D.C. Jayalal told The Sunday Morning that the Ministry had not yet taken any decision with regard to the ECT.
When asked whether the Government or the Ministry is holding discussions regarding the ECT, he said there were no ongoing discussions within the Government as of yet.
Meanwhile, port trade unions are waiting for the Government’s decision on the terminal.
At the meeting at Temple Trees, the Indian High Commissioner noted several areas on which the two countries could collaborate, including water requirements in schools, sanitation needs, rainwater harvesting, building of toilets for deprived areas, and a project that could convert sewage into fertiliser. Rajapaksa had indicated that the lack of safe drinking water in certain parts of the country is the main concern, including the role it plays in chronic kidney disease. This is now a key priority for the Sri Lankan Government.
He had also noted that the lack of drinking water is a particularly serious problem in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka and requested the High Commissioner to look into any assistance that can be provided towards that end.
The Prime Minister had also requested India to look at the pharmaceutical sector and encourage Indian investors to establish research and manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka to help the country meet its medicinal drug requirements.
The High Commissioner stressed the significance of facilitating mutually beneficial trade and investment between India and Sri Lanka, which are close maritime neighbours and friends.