Sri Lanka won’t allow anti-India activities from its soil, President Dissanayake says

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in India on his first foreign visit since taking over as president, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday that his country will not allow its territory to be used in ways harmful to India’s security.

Dissanayake’s statement comes as Sri Lanka’s one-year moratorium on allowing foreign research vessels into the country draws to a close next month. The moratorium was initially put in place over concerns on China’s activities in the region.

During the meeting, Modi and Dissanayake discussed mutual security, maritime collaboration, and economic partnerships.

“As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region,” a joint statement said.

“India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbor, Dissanayake reiterated Colombo’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability,” the statement said.

The Sri Lankan president’s commitment regarding security is significant as China’s presence in the Indian Ocean, including research vessel visits in recent years, has raised concerns in India.

Previously, a Chinese nuclear submarine docking in Colombo during former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency drew objections from India and the US.

Meanwhile, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said New Delhi reiterated its concerns over maritime security during the discussions.

“We pointed to the importance and the sensitivity of our security interest in this area and President Dissanayake was very upfront in saying that he would ensure that nothing was done by using Sri Lanka’s territory that might impact India’s security,” Misri told reporters.

When asked about the ending of Sri Lanka’s moratorium on foreign research vessels, Misri said, “Our understanding is that the Sri Lanka government is looking at this issue.”

During Monday’s discussions, Modi said infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity would form the key pillars of bilateral ties between New Delhi and Colombo.

The two leaders also discussed energy grid connectivity, petroleum pipelines to supply LNG to Sri Lankan power plants, and ongoing housing and hybrid renewable energy projects.

The leaders also discussed “reconciliation and reconstruction”, with Modi expressing hope for progress on the issues of Tamil minorities in that country.

Dissanayake’s next foreign halt may be China in January, Sri Lankan media reported.