India, Sri Lanka seek substantial collective effort for post-COVID-19 revival

In a meeting between the Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, both the nations sought for a substantial collective effort for post-COVID-19 revival and agreed to continue to work together in this regard.

Colombo: The Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Vinod K. Jacob called on Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on Monday.

During the meeting, the Acting High Commissioner briefed the Lankan Foreign Minister on India’s efforts to deal with the COVID 19 pandemic. The Lankan Minister, in turn, briefed the Acting High Commissioner on steps taken by Sri Lanka to fight the global pandemic, the Indian High Commission said in a release.

They expressed happiness with the ongoing bilateral efforts to fight against the COVID-19 and agreed to continue to work together in this regard.

They agreed that while countries are dealing with the pandemic in their own manner, the post-pandemic economic revival requires a substantial collective effort.

The Lankan Foreign Minister thanked India for its support in bringing back stranded pilgrims from India in March.

He also expressed appreciation for the gift consignment of over 13 tonnes of essential life-saving medicines supplied by India to Sri Lanka in early April.

He sought further cooperation for bringing back Sri Lankan students from India.

The Minister and Acting High Commissioner discussed the state of bilateral relations and agreed to take forward the understandings reached during the visits of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to India in November 2019, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in February 2020 and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in January 2020.