NEW DELHI, Mar 14: The Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay handed over training aids worth 22 million LKR to the commander of the Sri Lanka Navy’s Eastern Naval Region on Sunday. The High Commissioner stressed the importance of close cooperation between the two Navies as an integral part of the bilateral relationship.
Baglay, who was on a visit to northern and eastern provinces during the last four days, met representatives of various political parties in Jaffna and Trincomalee. The Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) office bearers welcomed him and expressed appreciation for India’s consistent stand on the adoption of the 13th Amendment. A 15-member TNA delegation from the Northern Province briefed him on the province’s development needs, preceded by an 8-member Tamil parties delegation briefing him on the country’s current economic and political priorities. Baglay recalled the Sri Lankan government’s commitments to the Tamil community’s legitimate aspirations for equality, justice, stability, and dignity, and insisted that achieving them through substantive devolution within a united Sri Lanka would also contribute to the country’s peace, reconciliation, inclusive development, and strength.
He also visited Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour which was being rehabilitated by India at a cost of 45.27 million dollars for the goods and ferries to travel from Kankesanthurai to India. He also discussed with the authorities of the Palaly airport to resume flights to Chennai suspended following the outbreak of the Corona pandemic last year.
He also visited the Jaffna cultural centre, an iconic landmark designed with India’s assistance where Goddess Saraswati and a statue of saint poet Thiruvalluvar installed at the entrance of the Jaffna Public Library and appreciated placing of B. R. Ambedkar’s life and work and a statue of former president of India APJ Abdul Kalam at the India Corner.
The High Commissioner paid respects to prominent Hindu spiritual leaders and sought their blessings for efforts to improve historically friendly and strong relations between India and Sri Lanka at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered religious sites.
(Venkatesh Iyer)