Ministers of Sri Lanka
Hon. Ramesh Pathirana
Hon. Jeevan Thondaman
Senior govt officials, officials of plantation human development trust, officials of international federation of Red cross, estate officials
Distinguished guests,
Friends
Namaskar, Ayubowan, Vanakkam
India and Sri Lanka are closely linked to each other as neighbours and friends. Our historical, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and civilizational contacts laid the strong foundation of our close relationship. Today, democratic ideals and strong people to people ties further strengthen our relationship. In this endeavour, we are guided by strong leadership in both the countries. Despite the challenges of covid,we have been able to maintain the momentum of our high level exchange visits including the virtual bilateral summit between prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 26 September 2020 and the recent visit of External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar to Colombo in January this year.
Friends,
India is always a dependable partner of Sri Lanka. Our assistance in housing sector is one of the example of our special ties with Sri Lanka. India's commitment in housing sector stands at 63,000 out of which more than 50,000 houses have been completed. Todays’ event is a continuation of ongoing successful process. In addition to the houses under Indian housing project, we are cooperating in construction of 1200 houses in Southern Province under Model village housing program.
Friends,
India’s development projects in Sri Lanka is based on Sri Lankans own choices and priorities with special focus on water, sanitation, vocational training, education etc. Our Projects touches the lives of common people across sri Lanka. The greatest example of this is successful implementation of Suwa Seriya 1990 ambulance.
On this occasion I like to note that after the devastating tsunami of 2004, the Southern Railway line in Sri Lanka was rebuilt under Indian assistance. In Southern Province we provided livelihood support to as many as 70,000 people from fishing and farming community in Hambantota and in 2018 we dedicated the largest university auditorium in Sri Lanka at Ruhuna University, Matara.
In the recent times, mutual cooperation between our 2 countries helped us to avert a major environmental disaster when a vessel caught fire in the Sri Lankan waters. During the covid-19 pandemic time, India supplied to Sri Lanka around 26 tonnes of essential medicines and 5 lakh vials of made in India vaccines to light the Covid-19 pandemic.
Friends,
I like to reiterate that India will always be preferable development partner for Sri Lanka and I use this opportunity to congratulate the proud beneficiaries of this housing scheme here in Walahenduwa estate.
Thank you, nadri, Sthuthi.
Sinhala Translation
