High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

The meeting between the High Commissioner and the Chairman of the Committee on External Affairs was held in a very cordial manner this morning at the latter’s official residence, and the discussion focused on how to enhance interactions between the two parliaments through exchanges of committees, friendship groups etc. 

High Commissioner Moragoda’s meeting with Mr. Chaudhary was held in keeping with the objective, ‘Enhance cooperation at parliamentary level; boost parliamentary diplomacy’, stipulated in the ‘Integrated Country Strategy for Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India 2021/2023’ policy roadmap of the High Commission. The High Commissioner also presented a copy of the Integrated Country Strategy to the Chairman of the Committee on External Affairs.

The High Commissioner and the Chairman also exchanged views on the current economic situation in Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Moragoda briefed him on the present developments in Sri Lanka and thanked India for the support it has extended to overcome the challenges posed by the economic crisis. The Chairman observed the deep and historical ties between the two countries and stated that India has always stood by Sri Lanka in keeping with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. 

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is a department related standing committee (DRSC) of selected members of parliament, constituted by the Parliament of India, for the purpose of legislative oversight of the foreign policy, and decision making of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is one of the 24 DRSCs that have been mandated with the task of ministry specific oversight. 

Shri P. P. Chaudhary is a Member of Parliament of the Lok Sabha (Lower House) representing Pali Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan. He is also a member of the Estimates Committee and the Business Advisory Committee of the Indian Parliament. A senior advocate by profession, Mr. Chaudhary is a member of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party, and had previously served as the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Minister of State for Law & Justice as well as the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs.  

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency for 2023, Harsh Vardhan Shringla in New Delhi today (12). 

The discussion especially focused on various avenues through which Sri Lanka could engage with the G20 during India’s presidency of the Group and also the possibility of understanding G20 approach towards international financial cooperation and debt restructuring.

High Commissioner Moragoda and the Chief Coordinator discussed the opportunities available to Sri Lanka, as a neighbouring country of India, to engage with the work of the G20. 

India assumed the presidency of the G20 on 01 December 2022 for a period of one year. Under its Presidency, India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings in 56 cities across the country, beginning December 2022. The G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State / Government is scheduled to be held on 09 and 10 September 2023 in New Delhi.

The G20 or Group of Twenty is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union, which works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.

Before assuming office as the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency, Harsh Vardhan Shringla was the Foreign Secretary of India. An officer from the Indian Foreign Service, he had previously served as India’s envoy to Thailand, Bangladesh and the United States.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India (EAC-PM) Dr. Bibek Debroy today at the latter’s office in New Delhi and had an exchange of views. 

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) is an independent body constituted to give advice on economic and related issues to the Government of India, specifically to the Prime Minister. 

During the discussion, the Chairman of the EAC-PM briefed High Commissioner Moragoda on the mandate and the functions of the Council. High Commissioner Moragoda stressed the importance of economic integration between Sri Lanka and India, and inquired as to how the Council could assist in that process.

In response, Chairman Debroy extended an invitation to High Commissioner Moragoda to address the Council on a mutually convenient date on matters pertaining to economic integration and cooperation, which the High Commissioner accepted. 

Post Covid supply chain resilience as well as trade and investment were among other issues that were discussed at the meeting. 

Dr. Bibek Debroy is an internationally renowned economist and has held many high posts in the government. He is a prolific writer who has translated a number of ancient Indian classics into English, including the Bhagavad Gita. He has also served in the ‘High Level Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor’, an independent international organization hosted by the United Nations Development Programme from 2005-2008, of which High Commissioner Moragoda was a member. 

1. The requirement to produce Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate by any person arriving in Sri Lanka via any airport or seaport is  hereby removed.

2. The requirement to produce a pre-boarding or on-arrival negative Covid-19 test (PCR/RAT) by any person arriving in Sri Lanka via  any airport or seaport is hereby removed.

3. If foreign nationals/tourists become Covid-19 positive after arriving in Sri Lanka, they should isolate for 7 days in a private hospital/hotel/place of residence. The cost of treatment/isolation should be borne by foreign nationals/tourists.