Foreign Secretary Shringla kick-starts several developmental projects in Sri Lanka

The main agenda of his visit was to take stock of every developmental project that India is carrying out in Sri Lanka, assess the reason for its delay and Sri Lanka’s need for economic assistance.

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla, who is on a four-day visit to Colombo, inaugurated four developmental projects in the housing and education sectors in Sri Lanka on Monday. He was accompanied by Sri Lankan Foreign minister Prof G.L Peiris and several other cabinet ministers and MPs.

Projects in the Housing sector

According to sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), several projects were inaugurated and handed over virtually by the Foreign Secretary including handing over 1,235 houses to beneficiaries under Indian Housing Project (IHP) Phase III.

This project is a part of India’s biggest grant assistance project in Sri Lanka for the construction of 50,000 houses for INR 1372 crore across various districts in Sri Lanka. Under Phase III of IHP, a total of 4,000 houses are to be built. Out of which, more than 3,500 houses have been completed, construction of around 400 houses is going on and work on 63 houses yet to start. 1,235 completed houses under this Phase III were handed over by FS during his visit, the Ministry informed.

Apart from that, Shringla handed over houses to beneficiaries under the Model Village Housing Project in Vavuniya District.

Notably, the government of India is assisting the Government of Sri Lanka to construct 600 houses in 25 districts of Sri Lanka under the Model Village Housing Project.

The project is being implemented as a High Impact Community Development Project under which 24 houses are being built for low-income families in each of the 25 districts, including the Vavuniya District. The project at Vavuniya District is complete and was handed over during the visit.

Projects in the education sector

In a major boost to the development of education infrastructure in Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary inaugurated Vada Central Ladies College in Vadamarachi, Northern Province.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, aligned with the Government of India’s continued commitment to building improved educational infrastructure in Sri Lanka, a project for the renovation of 27 schools in Northern Province was taken up by the Government of India as a grant assistance project at a cost of SLR 250 million.

Out of 27 schools, 22 school buildings have been completed and handed over so far. Vada Central Ladies College in Vadamarachi is one of the 27 schools taken up for renovation and was handed over during this visit.

Also, India's foreign Secretary inaugurated Saraswathi Central College in Pusellawa, Kandy district.

It is worth noting this project is being implemented as a High Impact Community Development Project under Indian grant assistance.

The MEA said that an MoU was signed between India and Sri Lanka in 2017 for the construction of a new building to accommodate Science labs, lecture hall, renovation of the existing infrastructure of the school; and supply of equipment such as ICT equipment, furniture etc. The school building is ready and was inaugurated today.

Later, FS Secretary Shringla called on Foreign Minister Prof GL Peiris to discuss bilateral ties in all spheres.

Discussions focused on the early conclusion of projects proposals and enhancing connectivity that would help accelerate Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

The Foreign Secretary also met his Sri Lankan counterpart Admiral (Retd) Prof. Jayanath Colombage today to review bilateral cooperation.

He also held a detailed discussion with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on India-Sri Lanka economic & commercial ties and post-pandemic economic recovery by taking forward joint projects of mutual benefit.

Shringla’s visit is also seen as a signal of India’s keenness to reach out to Sri Lanka to bolster ties in the face of the growing ties between the island nation and China.

The main agenda of his visit was to take stock of every developmental project that India is carrying out in Sri Lanka, assess the reason for its delay and Sri Lanka’s need for economic assistance.

Sri Lanka occupies a central place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Foreign Secretary’s visit signifies the importance both countries attach to strengthening their close and cordial relations in all spheres of mutual interest.