India highly appreciates President’s statesman-like approach: Jaishankar

Indian Foreign Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar said yesterday India highly appreciates the statesman-like approach of President Maithripala Sirisena. 

“Not only Sri Lanka, but we in New Delhi also highly appreciate the speech made by Your Excellency in Parliament last week,” he said when he paid a courtesy call on the President at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Dr. Jayashankar conveyed congratulations from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the President’s One Year in Office. He said that the President’s approach towards national reconciliation is highly appreciative.

The President conveyed his greetings to the Indian Premier and said that he has great regard for Shri Modi, with whom he has a personnel bond as well. “After our close rapport during my visit to New Delhi and Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, we also met at international gatherings such as the UN, CHOGM and Climate Summit in Paris,” President Sirisena said.

He said he was looking forward to meeting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj when she visits Sri Lanka next month to attend the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Meeting in Colombo.

He thanked India for the assistance provided in areas such as economic development, rehabilitation and resettlement, railways, power, and the expansion of the Palali Airport and the Kankasanthurai Port.

The President said frequent visits by leaders can help not only in strengthening cooperation but also in dispelling some media disinformation.