By The Pulseline News Desk
India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday (5) deepened their strategic and economic partnership with the exchange of agreements on INR-denominated Lines of Credit worth $ 350 million, while visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a series of high-level meetings with Sri Lanka’s political leadership.
The credit facility forms part of the $ 450 million reconstruction package announced by India to assist Sri Lanka’s recovery following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The agreements were exchanged following talks between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Misri in Colombo, during which both sides reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing key development initiatives.
According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the $ 350 million in Indian rupee-denominated financing will support reconstruction efforts, infrastructure development and procurement requirements linked to post-cyclone recovery.
The discussions also focused on the implementation of several India-assisted projects currently underway in Sri Lanka, with both sides expressing confidence in further expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
Misri also met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
As part of his one-day visit, Misri also met Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, where discussions centred on regional developments and the future direction of Sri Lanka-India relations.
The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of sustained political engagement and close cooperation in safeguarding the shared interests of the neighbouring countries while contributing to regional peace and stability.
Trade, investment, technology, development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges featured prominently in the discussions, reflecting the increasingly broad scope of the bilateral partnership.
Premadasa and Misri also exchanged views on strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest while maintaining close dialogue on evolving regional issues.
Misri’s visit comes as Sri Lanka and India continue to maintain regular high-level engagement, with both governments seeking to accelerate ongoing connectivity, economic and development initiatives that have become central pillars of the bilateral relationship.
The latest credit facility underscores India’s continuing role as one of Sri Lanka’s key development partners, particularly in supporting reconstruction and infrastructure projects following natural disasters and during the country’s broader economic recovery.
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