• Proposed Trincomalee Energy Hub and Oil Pipeline among key areas of discussions
• PM, Opposition Leader meetings focus on strengthening bilateral ties
• Visit includes community engagements and inspection of housing projects

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said that they hoped to further develop cooperation between Sri Lanka and India in relation to energy security and port development during bilateral talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (19), as part of his two-day official visit to Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake warmly welcomed the visiting Vice President upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat and congratulated him on assuming office as the Vice President of India. Vice President Radhakrishnan, noting that this was his first official visit to Sri Lanka, expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to him.

During the discussions, both leaders held extensive talks on strengthening long-standing ties between the two countries.

Radhakrishnan said that they hope to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, education, health, tourism, investment and trade, as well as in particular energy security and port development.

Housing projects being implemented in Sri Lanka with assistance from the Government of India, as well as projects carried out under the US$ 450 million package for areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, were also discussed in detail.

President Dissanayake said that, in line with understandings reached during his recent official visit to India and the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka, cooperation between the two countries has expanded across economic and social sectors. He noted that several programmes had been launched accordingly and expressed confidence that collaboration between the two nations would continue to strengthen in the future.

The President also expressed appreciation for India’s assistance extended to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah and acknowledged the allocation of funds from the Indian national budget for Sri Lanka. He further recalled India’s support during the recent energy crisis, noting the supply of 38,000 metric tonnes of fuel during a difficult period.

Referring to India’s advancements in technology, President Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka looks forward to strengthening cooperation in areas such as human resource development and the digitalisation of the public sector. Fisheries-related issues were also discussed, with both sides recognising the need to work towards long-term and sustainable solutions for related issues.

Speaking during a special media briefing late last evening, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that President Dissanayake and Vice President Radhakrishnan held discussions on the proposed project related to the energy hub in Trincomalee and the proposal to link India and Sri Lanka through an oil pipeline. 

“During the meeting it was emphasized the value of such energy connectivity, especially at a time like now, when the entire world and the South Asian region, especially, is facing the fallout of an energy crisis generated by the situation in West Asia,” he said. 

Vice President Radhakrishnan also met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees yesterday, where both sides discussed the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing people-to-people engagement between the two countries.

During the meeting, Dr. Amarasuriya hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Vice President and his delegation. Discussions also touched on the shared civilisational heritage between Sri Lanka and India and the importance of building stronger links across multiple sectors.

The visiting Indian Vice President later held discussions with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Colombo, where both sides discussed expanding trade and economic cooperation and further strengthening bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and India. Both leaders also spoke on creating practical opportunities that could benefit citizens of both countries.

Vice President Radhakrishnan arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday morning beginning his two-day official visit to the country. He and a delegation of 49 members arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake at around 9.30 a.m.

The visiting delegation was received at the airport by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, while Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present on the occasion.

During the visit, Vice President Radhakrishnan is scheduled to meet members of the Indian community in Sri Lanka and visit religious sites including the Bambalapitiya Kadireshan Kovil and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple to engage in religious observances.

He was also expected to address members of the Indian diaspora at a community event in Colombo, where he would virtually hand over houses to beneficiaries from Tamil communities built with assistance from the Indian Government under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project.

On the second day of the visit today (20), Vice President Radhakrishnan is scheduled to travel to Nuwara Eliya to inspect housing projects implemented with Indian assistance and meet members of the Malayagam community.

He is also expected to participate in religious observances at the Nuwara Eliya Sita Amman Kovil before concluding his official visit and departing Sri Lanka later today.