Indian expatriate community in SL celebrate India Day
Referring to vibrant and robust relations between India and Sri Lanka, High Commissioner Sinha stated that this year had been very eventful for both India and Sri Lanka
The High Commission of India and the Indian expatriate community in Sri Lanka celebrated the 69th Independence Day of India on Saturday,August 15 at India House in Colombo. On the occasion High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha unfurled the Indian National Flag and inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the BSF contingent. He also read out excerpts from the Address to the Nation on the eve of the Independence Day by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.
The High Commissioner noted that the Indian President had highlighted India’s progress in advancing its interests globally. India is also engaged in pro-actively promoting goodwill and prosperity among countries in its immediate neighbourhood. Peace, friendship and cooperation bind nations and peoples together. Recognizing the shared destiny of the Indian subcontinent, India will strengthen connectivity, expand institutional capacity and enhance mutual trust to further regional cooperation
Referring to vibrant and robust relations between India and Sri Lanka, High Commissioner Sinha stated that this year had been very eventful for both India and Sri Lanka. India’s policy of “Neighbourhood First” recognizes that neighbours have a first claim on India, and in this context Sri Lanka was amongst India’s closest and dearest neighbours.
The High Commissioner noted that domestic developments in the two countries have led to a revitalization of India – Sri Lanka relations. President Maithripala Sirisena visited India in February, which was his first overseas visit after assuming office. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to Sri Lanka in March, the first stand alone bilateral visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Prime Minister since 1987. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, it was reiterated that Sri Lanka has the potential to be India’s strongest economic partner in the region.
The Indian High Commissioner reiterated India’s abiding commitment to boosting relations with Sri Lanka. The Indian flagship Housing Project involving the construction of 50,000 houses is making excellent progress and will be completed soon.
Moreover, the bilateral relationship 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 between India and Sri Lanka, he said.