Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri called on president Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today (05) to review key bilateral initiatives and strengthen bilateral cooperation during a one-day official visit.

The President’s Media Division said that discussions focused on ongoing India-assisted development projects across Sri Lanka alongside issues of mutual and regional interest.

Post-cyclone reconstruction support

Following high-level talks, officials from both nations exchanged agreements on Indian Rupee-denominated Lines of Credit (LoCs) valued at USD 350 million.

The facility forms a major component of the USD 450 million reconstruction package extended by New Delhi to assist Sri Lanka’s recovery following Cyclone Ditwah.

According to the High Commission of India in Colombo, the credit lines will directly fund infrastructure restoration, post-disaster reconstruction, and essential procurement requirements across affected regions.

High-level diplomatic engagements

During his visit, foreign secretary Misri also held talks with foreign minister Vijitha Herath to review priority areas of bilateral cooperation.

Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and senior officials attended the discussions.

Misri also met with Sri Lankan foreign secretary Aruni Ranaraja to deliberate on regional developments and strategies to further deepen diplomatic and economic ties.

He is scheduled to meet prime minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya before concluding his visit.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has met with the Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, Vikram Misri, and the accompanying delegation today (5) at Temple Trees.

According to the Prime Minister’s Media Division, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of education, with particular attention given to Sri Lanka’s ongoing education reforms.

The Prime Minister briefed the delegation on the Government’s priorities in transforming the education sector, including initiatives to advance digital education and improve access to quality learning opportunities.

The meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions in the two countries. Both sides exchanged views on expanding student exchange programmes, promoting joint research initiatives, and fostering greater academic cooperation, the statement said.

The discussions also highlighted on bilateral trade relations and opportunities to further enhance economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and India. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of deepening economic engagement for the mutual benefit of the two countries while also focusing on avenues to promote tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and India, it added.

The meeting was attended by Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Prasanna Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, Maitrey Kulkarni, Deputy High Commissioner, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Sugeeshwara Bandara, Dilith Jayaweera, Asanka Navaratne and Senior Lecturer Mahinda Pathirana were today ordered by the Fort Magistrate’s Court to be reported to the Court of Appeal over allegations of contempt of court.

The order relates to statements allegedly made in public between July 7 and July 15 during a Satyagraha campaign protesting against the arrest of former Director of State Intelligence Suresh Salley in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

The allegations concern comments said to have been made in a manner critical of ongoing judicial proceedings.

The Criminal Investigation Department today reported facts relating to its investigation into the matter before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena.

Following the submissions, the Magistrate’s Court observed that, at first glance, the statements made by the individuals appeared to contain criticism of the judicial process.

Accordingly, the court decided to seek the institution of proceedings before the Court of Appeal against the individuals concerned on allegations of contempt of court.

The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha has met representatives of six Tamil-speaking political parties following a request from the parties.

In a post on X, the High Commissioner said the group briefed him on matters of concern to them and their various engagements, including meetings held with Sri Lankan leadership.

He said discussions also covered ongoing India-Sri Lanka projects and other areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was held as part of engagements between the Indian High Commission and political representatives in Sri Lanka.

Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, widely known as Pillayan, who is being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was further remanded until August 18.

The order was issued after the suspect was produced before Batticaloa Magistrate Annathurai Darshini today via an online hearing.

Pillayan appeared before court virtually from Welisara Prison, while the first and second suspects appeared from Batticaloa Prison.

The case has been filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan and other suspects in connection with five murder incidents that allegedly took place in various parts of the Batticaloa District in 2008.

The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today that he objects to a series of intervening petitions seeking permission to participate in the case filed by former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Salley, who has requested an order declaring his detention under detention orders in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks unlawful.

Twelve intervening petitions filed by several parties, including Venerable Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera and Desha Hithaishi National Movement Convener Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, were taken up today before a Court of Appeal bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing on behalf of the respondents, informed court that she objected to the consideration of the intervening petitions.

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva, appearing for petitioner Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, argued that according to the Supreme Court judgment in SC Writ Application No. 349/22, any person is entitled to intervene and make submissions when executive power is exercised arbitrarily.

He further submitted that the arrest of former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Salley had been carried out arbitrarily and that such action was contrary to the law.

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, appearing on behalf of petitioner Suresh Salley, stated that he had no objection to the intervening petitioners being permitted to make submissions before court.

The petitions are scheduled to be taken up again tomorrow for further consideration.