Last Update: January 20, 2023, 22:24 IST
EAM S Jaishankar (left) and Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa (right). (Photo: Twitter / @DrSJaishankar)
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 73, fled to the Maldives in July last year on a Sri Lanka Airforce plane as the country plunged into its worst economic and humanitarian crisis since its independence from Great Britain in 1948.
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday discussed a range of issues of mutual interest with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and thanked the Indian government for its firm commitment to assist Colombo in its time of crisis.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 73, fled to the Maldives in July last year on a Sri Lanka Airforce plane as the country plunged into its worst economic and humanitarian crisis since its independence from Great Britain in 1948.
“Met former President @PresRajapaksa today. Discussed the current challenges facing Sri Lanka and India’s strong support in this hour of need, Jaishankar said in a tweet.
In September last year, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was given special security and a state bungalow on his return here from Thailand.
A former military officer, he was appointed the President of Sri Lanka in November 2019.
Mahinda Rajapaksa was forced to resign as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in May last year, following protests in the country against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa-led government for mishandling the unprecedented economic crisis.
Mahinda Rajapaksa tweeted, “Had successful discussions with External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar and discussed a number of issues of mutual interest.”
“Thanked the Government of India as well. “For your steadfast commitment to helping Sri Lanka during its times of crisis and the strong ties shared between Sri Lanka and India,” the 77-year-old leader tweeted.
Jaishankar also met Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and exchanged views on bilateral relations.
“Nice to meet Leader of the Opposition @sajithpremadasa. Jaishankar tweeted, exchanged views about our bilateral relations.
Premadasa said his meeting with Jaishankar reaffirmed the strong partnership India and Sri Lanka.
“It was great meeting @DrSJaishankar today. Our meeting made it clear that India and Sri Lanka have a very strong partnership built on our shared values. I look forward to continuing this friendship in the years to come,” Premadasa tweeted.
Later, Jaishankar also met Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devanan.
In a tweet, the external affairs minister said, “Discussed cooperation on fisheries and emphasized on working together and humanitarian approach.”
Jaishankar is in Sri Lanka to meet the country’s top leaders to boost bilateral ties and finalize a debt restructuring plan to help Colombo come out of its economic crisis.
The IMF facility will enable the island nation to access bridging finance from the markets and the Asian Development Bank and other lending institutions. World Edge.
Sri Lanka was hit by an unprecedented financial crisis in 2022 due to a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves, leading to political upheaval in the country that led to the ouster of the all-powerful Rajapaksa family, which had ruled the country for more than two decades. Till then dominated the politics of Sri Lanka. ,
The head of the Rajapaksa family, Mahinda Rajapaksa, served as President from 2005 to 2015.
He also served as the Prime Minister from 2004 to 2005, 2018 and 2019 to 2022.
Rajapaksa has dominated Sri Lankan politics for more than two decades.
read all latest india news Here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)