Financial and Technical help from India to rebuild N-E
The Government of India has come forward to provide financial and
technical assistance to President Mahinda Rajapakse in the
reconstruction process of the North and East. India will also help to
build a library and a stadium in Jaffna.
A joint statement by Governments of Sri Lanka and India has been
released at the conclusion of President Rajapakse's four day visit to
India yesterday.
It highlighted the agreements and consensus reached between President
Mahinda Rajapakse and the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
during the discussions they had in New Delhi.
The joint statement released by the Sri Lankan and the Indian
Governments :-
Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka and Mrs. Shiranthi
Rajapakse paid a State Visit to India from December 27-30, 2005, at the
invitation of the President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
He was accompanied by Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, A. H. M. Fowzie, Minister of Railways, Transport and Petroleum
and Petroleum Resources Development, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of
Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Marketing Development, Ferial
Ashraff, Minister of Housing and Construction, R. Bogollagama, Minister
of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Ministers, leaders
of political parties and senior officials.
President Rajapakse held wide-ranging discussions with President
Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil,
Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and Shipping Minister T. R. Baalu, and
others. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA also called on President
Rajapakse. The President also met with several senior personalities from
other political parties during his stay in New Delhi.
It was noted with satisfaction that Indo-Lanka bilateral relations
have continued to be in a state of excellence characterised by political
consensus in both countries, understanding, friendship, cooperation and
mutual respect and benefit. The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to
further consolidate and build on this strong and dynamic relationship.
The discussions on international issues reflected the long-standing
consonance of views between the two friendly nations. Both sides remain
resolutely committed to opposing terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, while reiterating that terrorism can never be justified,
either on political, or on religious, or on ideological grounds.
The two sides agreed that the current global challenges require the
reinvigoration of multilateralism, including through the strengthening
of the UN system. In this context, Sri Lanka reiterated her position
that the UN Security Council reform process should facilitate India's
legitimate claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and
reaffirmed her support for the candidature of India as a permanent
member of the UN Security Council.
India and Sri Lanka emphasized their commitment to work for the full
realisation of the objectives identified by the 13th SAARC Summit in
Dhaka last November. They were of the view that the South Asian Free
Trade Agreement once operationalised should pave the way for the SAARC
nations to move towards even closer economic cooperation, with the
eventual goal being that of an economic union encompassing the entire
region.
The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka expressed
satisfaction at the dynamism of the bilateral economic relationship.
They noted the good progress by the two governments in building on the
success of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement by negotiating a
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
They expressed their confidence that the finalisation of CEPA, on the
basis of mutual benefit for both sides, would further unleash the
inherent synergies between the two countries.
It was noted that India has made an initial allocation of a Credit
Line of US$ 100 million for the integrated development of the Colombo -
Matara rail network. It was agreed at the request of the Sri Lanka side,
that India would take this process forward by the extension of
concessionary terms to be mutually agreed upon, for the allocated credit
of US$ 100 million, and for any additional credit to be made available
for the said project.
A multi-disciplinary delegation from India has already visited Sri
Lanka. A delegation of officials from Sri Lanka representing the
Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Railways, will visit India in
turn to discuss and agree on the technical and engineering aspects of
the project, and the terms and conditions of the Credit Line.
The two leaders welcomed the bilateral understandings being reached
on identifying joint ventures for the development of the eastern Sri
Lankan port city of Trincomalee, and its surrounding region. They noted
the need to prepare a Master Plan for realizing, including through the
building up of the necessary infrastructural support, the full economic
potential held out by Trincomalee and its environs.
It was agreed in this context that a coal based power project of
capacity 2x250 MW will be set up in the Trincomalee region of Sri Lanka,
as a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Company Ltd, a
Government of India enterprise and the Ceylon Electricity Board, a
Government of Sri Lanka entity.
The Government of Sri Lanka will have the responsibility of
facilitating and extending all necessary help in setting up this
project. A detailed Memorandum of Understanding for setting up the Power
Project is to be signed separately.
The Indian side in recognition of the high priority accorded by the
President of Sri Lanka to reconstruction and development in the North
and East, offered to support these efforts through technical and
financial assistance. The Sri Lanka side welcomed this offer of
assistance and agreed to facilitate the related initiatives. The Indian
side also announced assistance in constructing a library and a stadium
in Jaffna.
The two sides agreed that there was great potential for cooperation
in the areas of agriculture, IT and renewable energy. Both sides
discussed collaboration in the Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) area, which would include, inter alia, institutional capacity
building, training and skills development and technical assistance. In
this regard, India and Sri Lanka will collaborate to set up an ICT Park
in Sri Lanka.
The two sides reiterated their desire to accelerate their
co-operation in the field of human resource development, and in the
fashioning of educational policies appropriate for developing within the
national workforces, the skills and capacities required by the 21st
century.
Towards this end, it was agreed that the Joint Working Group under
the India-Sri Lanka MoU on the Education Exchange Programme would be
operationalised at the earliest possible. Several measures funded by
India to enhance cooperation in the field of education and training were
also agreed upon.
These include the Mahatma Gandhi scholarship scheme for 100 deserving
Sri Lankan students every year, the upgradation of libraries and science
laboratories in the upcountry areas, the setting up of a Chair in
Contemporary Indian studies in Peradeniya University and commissioning
of a field study on vocational training centers.
It was noted that the training of 450 Sri Lankan policemen has
already commenced in different institutions in India.
Sri Lanka welcomed the donation of medical equipment as tsunami
relief to the affected hospitals of Point Pedro and of Hambantota. The
Indian side announced that it had initiated action to prepare a detailed
project report on the rehabilitation of the tsunami-damaged base
hospital in Trincomalee.
The Indian side also indicated that construction of the new 150-bed
hospital at Dickoya in the Central Province is expected to commence
shortly. The Government of India further announced that it would provide
equipment to set up a fully-equipped Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit in
the existing hospital at Dickoya.
Sri Lanka expressed her appreciation for the valuable contribution by
the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo, towards continuing a level of
cultural interaction worthy of the longstanding historical and
civilisational links between the two nations. President Rajapakse
declared the intent of his administration to present in India during the
course of next year, the rich and varied cultural heritage of Sri Lanka
via a series of exhibitions and events.
The Indian side welcomed this endeavour which would further spur
people-to-people interaction, and also enhance intellectual and artistic
exchanges. India further announced that it would hold an exhibition of
contemporary Indian art in Colombo during 2006.
Both the Heads of Government noted that a positive collaborative
relationship was being established for the study and monitoring of the
environmental implications of the Sethusamudram Ship Channel project.
They endorse that the outcome of the collaboration must be to reach a
common understanding as to whether there are environmental consequences
and if so, the action to be taken to mitigate them.
They directed towards this end, the continuation of the interaction,
as and when necessary, between the concerned technical experts from both
sides. They also noted that the project would bring in its wake
developmental opportunities.
Both sides reiterated the importance of continuing bilateral
cooperation in the demarcation of the continental margins of the two
countries.
The Indian side welcomed the proposal by Sri Lanka for economic
cooperation within the Palk Bay area. India looks forward to Sri Lanka
presenting her proposals in the form of a paper, which would then be the
subject of study by an India-Sri Lanka Expert Group. The report of the
Expert Group could be considered during the ongoing CEPA negotiations.
The President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of India noted that
both countries have a record of unbroken commitment to the free and fair
exercise of the franchise, and to democratic governance. The two sides
were of the view that this common commitment, which is yet another of
the many strong bonds between India and Sri Lanka, could be availed of
by the establishment of India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship
Associations in the national legislatures of both countries.
They noted with satisfaction the formation of the Sri Lanka-India
Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Sri Lankan Parliament on
December 22, 2005, and the decision to form an India-Sri Lanka
Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Indian Parliament.
They envisaged that the Associations once established, would
cooperate for the further development of democratic best practice, and
for strengthening bilateral relations. They accordingly recommended that
the Speakers and the Members of the Parliament of India and of the
Parliament of Sri Lanka, may consider expeditiously taking the necessary
steps towards this end.
The President of Sri Lanka briefed the Indian leadership on his
approach to the peace process to achieve maximum devolution which
preserves the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
The two sides agreed that an enduring solution can emerge only
through internal political processes that promote consensus and
reconciliation. India reiterated its support for a process of seeking a
negotiated political settlement acceptable to all sections of Sri Lankan
society within the framework of an undivided
Sri Lanka and consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for
human rights.
India continues to maintain an abiding interest in the security of
Sri Lanka and remains committed to her unity, sovereignty and
territorial integrity. The Indian side expressed the hope that a
political settlement of the ethnic issue based on devolution, openness,
transparency and inclusivity would emerge through negotiations between
the parties concerned, so as to ensure a peaceful and bright future for
all Sri Lankans in an undivided and democratic Sri Lanka.
The President of Sri Lanka apprised the Prime Minister of India of
recent attacks on Sri Lankan security forces and other ceasefire
violations.
The two leaders deplored violations of the ceasefire, which could
undermine the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka.
The Indian side welcomed the Sri Lankan Government's offer for early
resumption of peace talks. Both sides emphasized the need for the strict
observance of the ceasefire and immediate resumption of talks aimed at
strengthening the ceasefire.
Sri Lanka is appreciative of the Indian offer to provide intellectual
and academic resources in support of the peace process. The Sri Lankan
side thanked the Indian side for the presentation, during the
Presidential State visit, on distribution of powers between Centre,
States and local government in India.
The state visit by President Rajapakse is testimony to the excellent
relations between the two countries. President Rajapakse invited their
Excellencies the President and the Prime Minister of India to visit Sri
Lanka at mutually convenient times. |