Indian High Commissioner visits Hambantota District Chamber

The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha recently visited the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC).

This was the High Commissioner’s second visit to the chamber. During the visit the High Commissioner met with officials of HDCC, board of directors, past presidents and business people of the Hambantota District. 

The High Commissioner was accompanied by K.N. Mohanakumaran, Consul General of India in Hambantota. Discussions were very cordial and fruitful and both parties agreed to work together to increase trade between local business and India and to invest in joint projects in the fields of industry, agriculture and tourism. The High Commissioner stressed that, with the construction of the harbour and international airport in Hambantota, there is ample scope for increasing the trade between local business and India. He wants to encourage business people of Hambantota to directly link with Indian businesses not only for importing but also for exporting. He said that this was the main purpose of opening the Consulate in Hambantota.  The High Commissioner pointed out that most of the items of export from Sri Lanka are free from tax in India under the Free Trade Agreement. He said that the Consulate and the High Commission would be happy to facilitate linkages and also visit of local businessmen to trade fares in India to make direct business contacts.

He said that the Consulate would be happy to issue long term visas to genuine businessmen. The High Commissioner advised the chamber to make use of the large number of scholarships offered by India under ITEC for capacity building.

He mentioned that the business people of Hambantota should get the maximum benefit from the developments.

The High Commissioner informed members of the chamber that Government of India was starting a special train for Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka. The train, named Dambadiva Vandana, will start from Chennai and cover 15 pilgrimage sites in 21 days before returning to Chennai. The test run started on 3 November and regular service is expected to start in February.

They reiterated their commitment to work towards the strengthening of the relationship between India and the people of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.