High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam called on the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Vice President of India Hon. Shri Mohamad Hamid Ansari, last week.  Ensuing discussion at the meeting, among others included, post-conflict development efforts in Sri Lanka, increasing bilateral interactions and the establishment of the India-Sri Lanka Friendship Group in the Indian Parliament.

An estimated 8 percent economic growth was achieved in 2010, the Central Bank said in its ‘Roadmap: Economic and Financial Sector Policies for 2011 and Beyond’, announced on January 4, 2011.

The Roadmap also said that Sri Lanka was able to maintain historically high foreign reserves amounting to USD 6.6 Billion at the end of 2010. Year 2010 also marked a rapid decline in poverty level in the country, low and stable inflation, stable exchange rates, Middle-income Emerging Market Country status among other achievements.

The Central Bank added that Sri Lanka showed strong growth momentum in 2010 as the peace dividend was clearly observed with impressive performance in all sectors and more business confidence.

Sri Lanka has met end-December IMF targets for net domestic financing, net international reserves, and reserve money required under a $2.6 billion loan, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said.

Asia Development Outlook 2010 of the Asian Development Bank also said Sri Lanka's political stability, improved credit ratings, private sector revival and government infrastructure investment underpin a strengthened economy.

During her visit to Sri Lanka in December, Managing Director of the World Bank Dr. Okonjie-Iweala said “Sri Lanka has what it takes to be the Wonder of Asia through inclusive growth acceleration… implementing policies that promote the inclusion of all segments of society in the growth process, as envisaged in the Mahinda Chintana, will be crucial”.

A 10-member team of students of the Holy Family Convent, Jaffna visited India under the student exchange programme of the India-Sri Lanka Foundation. The team arrived in India on December 10, 2010 and concluded the tour on December 18, 2010. The student team was accompanied by the Principal of the school Sister Mary T Ladislaus and Mrs Y J Anna Maria Josephine, a teacher.

 In New Delhi the student team was hosted by St Francis de Sales Senior Secondary School, Janakpuri, New Delhi. In October this year, a team of students from St Francis de Sales Senior Secondary School visited Jaffna and the team was hosted by the Holy Family Convent, Jaffna. This is the first visit by a team of Jaffna students to New Delhi for decades and this visit was possible as normalcy has now returned to the North and East Sri Lanka.

 The Governments of India and Sri Lanka established the India-Sri Lanka Foundation in 1998 in order to promote greater understanding through enhancement of economic, scientific, educational, technical and cultural cooperation between the peoples of the two nations. The High Commissioners of the two countries act as Co-Chairpersons of the Foundation while the two governments have nominated two Directors each as the other members of the Board of Directors.

Sri Lanka Navy marked the 60th anniversary of its inception on 09th December 2010. It was in 09th December 1950, that the legislative enactment of the Navy, known as the ‘Navy Act’ was passed in the Parliament that eventually led to mark 09th December as the Navy Day. This year Golden Jubilee celebration takes high precedence with Navy Day being celebrated in company of friendly foreign navies.

To mark the occasion, the Naval Headquarters made an elaborative arrangement that includes a President’s Fleet Review with the participation of warships of Bangladesh, China, Iran, India, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand & Sri Lanka. The celebrations attended by representatives of 21 countries that include six Chiefs of Navies.

Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of the Indian Naval Staff reached Colombo in the evening of 08th Dec 2010 to attend the ceremonies on the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe. This is yet another milestone of Indo-Sri Lanka Naval relations where two navies close cooperation is fostering on the mutual understanding, interests and respect. Indian Naval ship Mysore and tall ship Tharangani participated in the celebrations in Colombo alongside their regional counterparts. During the celebrations, Chief of Indian Naval Staff called on the Secretary Defence, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa in company of the Sri Lankan Naval Chief & the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo.

The Indian Naval Chief’, Admiral Nirmal Verma’s participation at the ceremonies fulfilled the gracious presence of Chiefs of all three regional navies; Bangladesh, India, & Pakistan.  Further, during the celebrations participating naval chiefs attended several programmes that include an international symposium on Sustainable Support for Security and Safety at Sea (S5) in Colombo and Chief’s Conclave in Trincomalee. The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. GL Peiris inaugurated the symposium and the Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe headed the Chief’s conclave in Trincomalee.