Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda has said that the island nation is expanding its trade with India using Indian Rupee as part of Colombo’s economic recovery strategy with New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion of Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day, the High Commissioner said, the island nation is mulling the possibility of using the RuPay mechanism for Indian tourists coming to Colombo. News agencies reported the envoy’s appreciation of India’s rapid response during the Sri Lanka crisis and assistance to the country with 3.9 Billion dollars.
Speaking on the Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen issue, the High Commissioner said that the two countries must have a dialogue, adding that there are legal, environmental and ecological issues that are crucial and needed to be discussed.
Time and again, there have been periodic instances of Indian fishermen being apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe to visit India and expressed hope that he would visit India soon.
Mr. Moragoda highlighted that both countries have to look after the neighbourhood. He said India’s security is Sri Lanka’s security and vice Versa. He also described the importance of the Jaffna Cultural Centre opening and called it a ‘symbolic’ act by India.
Sri Lanka held grand celebrations on Saturday on the occasion of 75 years of Independence.