India promises IT Park for Sri Lanka

Visiting Indian Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh yesterday said the economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and India is at a peak level and the benefits should go to both countries.

He said India is interested in setting up a modern IT park in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan professionals' service can be obtained for it.

Ramesh made these observations when he met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the latter's ministry on Thursday.

The two ministers reviewed the progress of the ongoing development projects initiated with Indian financial assistance and agreed they are progressing and are within the expected time schedule.

They decided to expedite preparatory work on the Sampur power project and complete it within the next few months and start construction in September.

Minister Ramesh communicated the interest of major Indian IT companies to set up an IT park in Sri Lanka, with modern facilities to serve the regional and international markets.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa decided to have a special Sri Lanka promotion programme for India. Ramesh proposed Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hydrabad and Kochin as sites for the promotional programme.

The visiting Indian Minister inquired about the rehabilitation, reconstruction and economic development projects in the North. He requested Sri Lanka to produce exportable agriculture products as India has a big market for them. Minister Rajapaksa said the government has taken steps to develop education in the Northern Province. Eighty nine schools were reconstructed and 70 are under reconstruction.