Sri Lanka embarking on new journey of peace, progress: India

COLOMBO: Ahead of parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka, India today said the island nation is poised to embark on a new journey of peace and progress and it will continue its support to the reconciliation process.

Indian High Commissioner Y K Sinha, during India's Independence Day celebrations here, said, "On the eve of parliamentary elections, Sri Lanka is poised to embark upon a new journey of peace, reconciliation and progress. India will continue to extend its hand of friendship and support to Sri Lanka in this endeavor."

The domestic developments in Sri Lanka and India have led to a revitalisation of the relations between both countries, Sinha said, recalling the bilateral visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

This year has been very eventful for both India and Sri Lanka, and India's policy of "Neighbourhood First" recognises that neighbours have a first claim on India, and Sri Lanka is among India's closest and dearest neighbours, he said.

Sirisena visited India in February which was his first overseas visit after assuming office while Modi paid a historic visit to Sri Lanka in March, the first standalone bilateral visit to the island country by an Indian premier since 1987.

During Modi's visit, it was reiterated that Sri Lanka has the potential to be India's strongest economic partner in the region.

The High Commissioner also reiterated India's abiding commitment to boosting relations with Sri Lanka.

The Indian flagship Housing Project involving construction of 50,000 houses is making excellent progress and will be completed soon.

Moreover, the bilateral relation is expanding to new vistas, especially in the field of Science and Technology.

The extension of e-Tourist Visa facility to Sri Lankan citizens has provided a boost to people to people contacts, Sinha added.