Colombo/New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held talks with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. He also called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and met opposition leaders as well as a delegation of Tamil Leaders from the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
On his meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart, the EAM posted on X that the two sides shared perspectives of greater multilateral cooperation, especially in BIMSTEC, IORA and the UN.
“Warm interaction with Foreign Minister @alisabrypc of Sri Lanka.
Our discussion covered further prospects in capacity building and shared engagement.
Also exchanged perspectives of greater multilateral cooperation, especially in BIMSTEC, IORA and the UN.”
The Sri Lankan foreign minister in a post on X said the two sides reviewed their strong bilateral ties and agreed to further enhance them.
“Delighted to welcome Dr. S. Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his first foreign visit in his new term. I congratulated him on his reappointment. We reviewed our strong bilateral ties and agreed to further enhance them. Looking forward to working closely in regional and international multilateral fora. “
EAM met leader of the opposition Sajith Premadasa and his delegation, as well as former foreign minister GL Peiris, and other opposition leaders.
“Nice to meet leader of opposition @sajithpremadasa and his delegation during my Sri Lanka visit. Thank GL Peiris, @EranWick , Niroshan Perera, Palini Thigambaram @Rauff_Hakeem and V Radhakrishnan for joining.
“Appreciate the bipartisan support for stronger India-Sri Lanka relationship. An insightful discussion on making our partnership even more robust.”
He also called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed the progress in bilateral cooperation.
“Glad to call on former President @PresRajapaksa of Sri Lanka. Discussed the current progress of India-Sri Lanka bilateral cooperation. Appreciate his continued support.”
On his meeting with Indian Origin Tamils, the EAM said the two sides discussed the development partnership and further cooperation in respect of the community.
“Interacted with leadership of Indian Origin Tamils. Thank @S_Thondaman,
@JeevanThondaman, A. Aravindh Kumar, M Rameshwaran, V. Radhakrishnan, Velu Kumar, Udayakumar and Vadivel Suresh for joining.
“Discussed our development partnership and further cooperation in respect of IOTs.”
The EAM also met with an eight-member delegation of Tamil leaders from Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern provinces.
“Good meeting with 8-member delegation of Tamil Leaders from Northern and Eastern Provinces. Thank @ShanakiyanR, @Mavai_S, @MASumanthiran, @ImShritharan, @SAdaikalanathan, Dharmalingam Sithadthan, @CWigneswaran and @skajendren for joining.
“Discussed issues pertaining to development & devolution in their provinces,” he posted.
Earlier, the EAM called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and PM Dinesh Gunawardena.
UNI RN