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Basil to travel to New Delhi for discussions with Modi

22 Nov, 2021

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By Easwaran Rutnam

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will be heading to New Delhi for talks as the economic crisis in Sri Lanka deepens.

Rajapaksa will hold talks with top Ministers and officials in India including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The dates of the visit have yet to be announced but the Foreign Ministry said that the visit is being finalized.

Foreign Minister, Professor G.L Peiris told reporters that Sri Lanka was currently facing a serious economic crisis.

He said that the situation was caused by the coronavirus pandemic affecting the world.

Professor G.L Peiris said that Sri Lanka will seek to work with its friendly nations to address the issue.

As part of that process, the Foreign Minister said that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will travel to India for talks with the Indian leadership.

He said that Sri Lanka has a very close relationship with India covering a wide range of issues.

The Foreign Minister noted that India has in the past come to Sri Lanka?s assistance during an economic crisis.

He said that Basil Rajapaksa will travel to India and have talks with the Indian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and other officials.

Professor G.L Peiris said that Sri Lanka will not look for more loans but will focus on improving the economic and trade relations, seek more investments and boost tourism between both countries.

The Foreign Minister said that the Government is confident the visit will yield positive results.

He said the final details of the visit are being worked on by the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi. (Colombo Gazette)

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