Amid economic turmoil in Sri Lanka, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who is currently in the neighboring country, met the top leadership including President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Indian minister assured New Delhi’s “continued commitment” to aid the debt-ridden island nation in its economic recovery.
Interestingly, the country is celebrating its 75th Independence Day on February 4, amid a series of allegations of spending more than 300 million Sri Lankan rupees when the country is already seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Notably, from the Indian side, Muraleedharan is on his way to Colombo to represent the country at Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day celebrations. Muraleedharan met President Wickremesinghe and discussed “various aspects” of the growing bilateral partnership between the two countries. He also congratulated Wickremesinghe on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day.
“Delighted to meet the President of Sri Lanka Excellency @ RW in Colombo. Congratulated PM @narendramodi ji on Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day,” he tweeted. He wrote, ‘Discussed various aspects of the growing bilateral partnership.’
He also met External Affairs Minister Sabri and extended his Independence Day greetings. “Pleased to meet the Finance Minister of Sri Lanka Excellency @elisabripc in Colombo. Congratulated him on his 75th Independence Day. Highlighted India’s continued commitment to assisting Sri Lanka in its economic recovery,” he tweeted.
Earlier, Muraleedharan participated in Sri Lanka’s Independence Day celebrations, which were also attended by other foreign dignitaries. “This milestone coincides with the completion of 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India has always been a trusted partner and trusted friend of Sri Lanka,” he tweeted. Muraleedharan also interacted with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
Appreciated his contribution in strengthening the economic and people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka. His role is even more important today when Sri Lanka is on the path of economic recovery, he tweeted.
People of Indian Origin (PIOs) include Sindhi, Borah, Gujarati, Memon, Parsi, Malayali and Telugu speaking persons who have settled in Sri Lanka (most of them after partition) and are engaged in various business ventures.
According to the Indian Mission in Colombo, according to unofficial figures, there are an estimated 14,000 Indian expatriates living in Sri Lanka. Muraleedharan also prayed to the Buddha at the holy Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted, “Honored the respected Dr. Kirinde Asaji Thero.” Asaji Thero is the chief functionary of the Gangaramaya Temple. The minister highlighted the close civilizational links between India and Sri Lanka, which are manifested through Buddhism. India has been a major provider of aid to debt-ridden Sri Lanka.
Last year, India extended USD 3.9 billion support to Sri Lanka to deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi recently assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a USD 2.9 billion bridge loan to restructure the country’s debt. Sri Lanka was in talks to obtain financial assurances from its major creditors – China, Japan and India, which is necessary for Colombo to receive the bailout package. Sri Lanka faces its worst economic crisis since independence during mid-2022, leading to a political crisis leading to months-long public protests.
Shortages of essential commodities due to the foreign exchange crisis took to the streets demanding the resignation of the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In April last year, Sri Lanka declared debt default for the first time in its history.
(With inputs from PTI)
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