Implement Indo-Lanka agreement
as soon as possible, says Moragoda
Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has emphasised the pivotal importance of Colombo and Delhi quickly moving to the implementation phase of the agreement on ‘fostering partnership for a shared future.’ The former Minister said that the implementation should begin as fast as possible.
《 The Island LK 》
He said so in response to The Island queries regarding the Indo-Lanka relations in the wake of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s meet with Indian Premier Narendra Modi. Referring to the joint statement that had been issued on 16 Dec., Moragoda said: “It is a comprehensive statement that covers a number of areas that are important to the Indo-Lanka relationship and Sri Lanka’s own economic development.
The statement has a significant number of action points, the execution of which can now be monitored by the two leaders during their future summits to ensure timely implementation.
The statement blends the positive foundations and trajectory set by previous joint-statements with aspects that are important components of President Dissanayake’s own policy agenda. One such example is the focus on people-centric digitization.
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| Milinda Moragoda |
Speedy economic integration and connectivity with India while safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity is the only way in which Sri Lanka can become a fast growth economy and come out of the present crisis. Sri Lanka needs to grow at 6% -7% pa to deliver a better life for our people. This understanding between the two leaders is a good beginning.
It is now important that the two sides move to the implementation phase as fast as possible.
The financial resources required to achieve these objectives are available and can be mobilized and harnessed.
The joint-statement indicates that the UAE has expressed interest in investing in the multi-product pipeline. This is an important development towards trilateral cooperation in investment between India, Sri Lanka and third countries.
Trilateral cooperation of this nature could be explored with other countries, including Japan, the US, etc., as well.” (SF)⍐
