Sri Lanka is key part of India's "neighbourhood first” policy: Indian envoy

Congratulating Srilankan government on completion of two years in office, newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that Sri Lanka continues to be a key part of India’s “neighbourhood first” policy, and expressed hope that Sri Lankan businesses will take advantage of their proximity to the fastest growing major economy in the world.

High Commissioner added that India’s total development assistance commitment to Sri Lanka is now around US$ 2.6 billion, with over US$ 435 million as outright grants. High Commissioner stated that the Indian flagship housing project, aiming to construct 50,000 houses, is proceeding well with over 45,300 houses constructed till date. High Commissioner also cautioned against the threat posed by the dark forces of terrorism and stressed the necessity of defeating these forces decisively.

Addressing at the 68th Republic Day of India celebrations at India House in Colombo with the participation of Indian expatriate community in Sri Lanka, High Commissioner highlighted India’s achievement in social, political and economic fields in the last six and half decades." Today, India is the fastest growing economy amongst the major economies of the world. India is the second largest reservoir of scientific and technical manpower, the third largest army, the sixth member of the nuclear club, the sixth member in the race for space, and the tenth largest industrial power."

Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurled the Indian flag and inspected a Guard of Honour presented by a contingent of the Border Security Force. He read out excerpts from the address to the Nation on the eve of the Republic Day by the  President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

High Commissioner and officials of the High Commission paid their respects to the memory of fallen soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in a solemn ceremony at the IPKF memorial in Colombo.

The Consulates General of India in Jaffna and Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy also celebrated the 68th Republic Day by organizing flag hoisting ceremonies this morning.