• KKS Port modernisation to be launched, Rameswaram-Talaimannar ferry to be restored 

The High Commissioner (HC) of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, in his speech on the occasion of a reception connected to the 77th Republic Day of India on Monday (26), said that talks are ongoing on the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub between India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. 

“The project for the modernisation of the Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port is expected to be launched soon. We are working to restore ferry links between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. Sri Lanka’s digitisation journey is poised for a take-off with progress in the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project. This will enable unfolding the entire stack of digital public infrastructure. Sri Lanka’s aspiration to build a cashless system is supported by the introduction of a United Payments Interface payment system. Our startups and venture capitalists are cooperating to support building a modern innovation ecosystem in Sri Lanka,” he noted.

“Your presence and support are a source of strength for us. It encourages us more than anything else, to work towards building a deeper partnership. India-Sri Lanka relations have emerged as a global model for cooperative partnership between neighbours. Physical, digital and energy connectivity are agreed as key pillars of our partnership. Shared aspirations for development and a shared commitment to security have emerged as key goals.  Our natural people-to-people connection is the most special aspect of our relations. Cricket or cuisine, yoga or ayurveda, dance or music, our passion for them is a shared one; just as our history, languages, culture and faiths are. Whether it is the Ramayana trail or the Buddhism trail, it speaks of our age-old connection that is only getting deeper in modern times. When the Devni Mori relics of the Buddha will be on display at the Gangaramaya Temple, it will reaffirm this unique nature of our relationship, which has been built through centuries of exchanges and interactions. This makes our relations unlike any other. Let us agree to work with this flow of our history to build a future of shared prosperity and well-being. I look forward to your support and cooperation in this joint endeavour”.