The Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that his country will repay India’s loan and emphasised on Delhi’s key role in the country’s energy, infrastructure, and connectivity projects.
Speaking at the 31st All India Partner’s Meet 2024 (AIPM 2024), in Colombo, the President highlighted the importance of increased cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the energy sector that will promote development for the Northern region, which has been deeply affected by three decades of conflict.
He said, ‘We are looking at developing the Palk Strait for wind energy and solar energy, both countries to get together and have a large farm for solar energy, for renewable energy. It also means that we will have a new economy for the northern province, which was worst affected by the wars’.
The President pointed out that India and Sri Lanka discussing ways to expedite the Trincomalee Development Project. “Trincomalee is poised to become a hub for oil refining, with the development of ports & investment zones, transforming it into a significant hub on the Bay of Bengal”, he stated.
Plans are underway to construct a multi-product oil pipeline from Nagapattinam to Trincomalee, pending the final observation report. Plans are underway for the Indian role in expanding the Kankesanturai port, which is the major port on the Jaffna Peninsula & development of the Palali airport.
‘When I was in Delhi last week, I discussed with Prime Minister Modi the need to accelerate the joint program that we have decided, agreed on. So the major ones are identified. Now this will show the new path we are taking, and a number of projects, all will be in one parcel’, he explained.
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