Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake undertook an official visit to New Delhi India from June 6-7. This was his first visit out of the country since assuming office in his new portfolio.
He met Indian Prime Minister Naredra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He also had separate meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar.
The first item on the agenda was a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
Prime Minister Modi said that as Minister Karunanayake held the Finance portfolio, there is no doubt that now as the Minister of Foreign Affairs he would give the necessary leadership and continue to work closely with India for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Minister Karunanayake conveyed the greetings of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Prime Minister Modi. He thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Indian Government for the prompt assistance provided to Sri Lanka following the recent floods and landslides in the country.
Prime Minister Modi said that India will stand by Sri Lanka’s forward march towards progress and prosperity.
Minister Karunanayake said that frequent visits at the highest level have brought about a close bond between the two countries. He said he would continue to work actively in taking bilateral relations to greater heights.
Referring to the initiatives taken especially on economic cooperation projects, the Minister said that he would ensure greater focus on its implementation.
The discussion also covered avenues for collaboration in other areas of common interest. It was agreed that as neighbours, and more importantly as friends, India and Sri Lanka will continue to work together for the benefit of the two countries and the region.
At the meeting between Minister Karunanayake and the Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan of the Ministry of External Affairs, the two Ministers took note of the excellent bilateral relations and the progress made in all areas of mutual interest.
Minister Karunanayake said he would continue the excellent work carried out by his predecessor during the past two years.
The meeting was followed by a dinner hosted in honour of Minister Karunanayake by Minister Swaraj.
At the end of the official program, Minister Karunananyake conducted a press briefing organised by the High Commission of Sri Lanka for a select group of New Delhi based journalists.
Minister Karunanayake also made a brief visit to the Sri Lanka High Commission.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India Chitranganee Wagiswara, Senior Director General of the South Asia and SAARC Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asoka Girihagama and the Media Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, W. M. S. Kumara were also present at the meetings.