President Maithripala Sirisena able to deliver long-term benefits to Sri Lanka while establishing p

The Indian President, Ram Nath Kovind, says the current President Maithripala Sirisena has been able to deliver long-term benefits to Sri Lanka while establishing peace and reconciliation in the country. 

The Indian President further said that after President Sirisena became the Head of State, the economic, cultural and trade relations between the two countries have reached new heights.

He made these remarks during a meeting with President Sirisena at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House) on 10 March (Saturday). 

During this meeting, the Indian President appreciated the steps taken by the President to protect the environment and said that he later learned that at present Sri Lanka is successfully moving towards solar energy.

President Sirisena said that holding this kind of Conference, in this present context, where the whole world is facing an energy crisis as well as global warming, is a timely initiative. 

President Sirisena also made this an opportunity to express gratitude to India for providing assistance during the 30-year-long war period and later in development activities in the North and East, as well as in the fields of housing, health, education, irrigation and cultural affairs. 

President Sirisena mentioned that by now comprehensive projects have been implemented to strengthen the peace and harmony in Sri Lanka as well as to develop the economy of the country. He further stated that it has been identified that certain extremist elements are trying to destroy harmony in Sri Lanka through certain mischievous activities.

The unfortunate situation which took place in past few days in certain areas of the country has been completely controlled and peace has already been established, the President explained to the Indian President.  Indian President accepted the invitation extended by President Sirisena to visit Sri Lanka and said that he expects to undertake the visit in near future.  

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Secretary of the Indian President Bharat Lal, Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh and Sri Lankan High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara participated in this meeting.