Sri Lanka and India signed six agreements to boost bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors such as technology, fisheries and education during the meeting between visiting External Affairs Minister of India Dr.S.Jaishankar and his Sri Lankan counterpart Prof G.L. Peiris in Colombo on Monday evening.
Under the agreements, India will provide grant assistance for the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity project. The MOUs include the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) programme with India’s grant assistance and providing a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.
Both countries have also agreed on the implementation of hybrid power projects in three islands off the Jaffna peninsula. India will also provide financial and technical assistance for the development of Point Pedro, Gurunagar, Pesalai and Balapitiya fisheries harbours while the Government of Sri Lanka will oversee their management.
Ornamental Fish Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi-day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera in a tweet said yesterday that the Government reached an understanding with the Indian government for the development of four fisheries harbours.
“GOSL signed a MOU with @IndiainSL to develop 4 new #Fishery Harbours with the Financial and Technical Assistance of GOI. New Harbors in Point Pedro, Gurunagar and Pesalai in North and Balapitiya in South will be developed.
The GOSL will oversee the Management of the Harbours”, Wijesekera tweeted.
The other agreements signed by the both countries on Monday include the MOU for the establishment of Modern Computer Labs and smart boards with customized curriculum software in 200 schools in Galle District; MOU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute.
Dr.Jaishankar also met Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Douglas Devananda and their discussion focused on gamut of issues including Northern fishermen’s issue and the devolution of power.
The visiting Indian External Affairs Minister addressed the BMISTEC summit yesterday and emphasized India’s commitment to intensify and expand areas of cooperation, especially connectivity, energy and maritime cooperation.
courtesy dailynews.lk
