Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, explaining the reason for the disagreement with India over land connectivity, said economic and political disparity led to the decision amid concerns over possible division in the country.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government declined the land connectivity decision the previous Sri Lanka government had agreed with India in the past. The plan was to have a bridge between South Indian Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka’s North Western Mannar, where Indian firm Adani had been planning to build a wind power plant.

Foreign Minister Herath in a TV interview last week said the current government has rejected the proposal to build the bridge between the two Asian nations.

“India has not requested this from us, but previous governments had agreed for this,” Minister Herath told a weekly television programme Rathu Ira on April 25.

“If India and Sri Lanka are economically and politically at the same level, then there is no issue,” he said.

“For instance, Singapore and Malaysia – they are both at par economically and politically. There is no issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity with a bridge between those countries.”

“But we are different from them. We are a small country. Our economical and political situations are different to that of India. In that backdrop, a project like this is not appropriate and we are not ready at this moment.”

India has long expressed interest in building a physical link between Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and Mannar in northern Sri Lanka. The proposed project, which spans the shallow Palk Strait, aims to enhance regional connectivity, boost trade, and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Indian policymakers have argued that such infrastructure would revitalize ancient cultural and economic ties, reduce shipping costs, and position Sri Lanka as a key transit hub in the Bay of Bengal.

The plan has occasionally surfaced in bilateral discussions and regional development proposals, with India suggesting that it could fund or co-develop the project.

However, the proposal has met with significant opposition in Sri Lanka due to economic, environmental, and national security concerns. Critics argue that such a bridge could open the floodgates to unchecked migration and smuggling, potentially threatening local employment and cultural identity in northern Sri Lanka.

Environmentalists have raised alarms about the potential damage to sensitive marine ecosystems in the Palk Strait, while nationalists fear increased Indian influence over domestic affairs.

Additionally, there is deep-rooted skepticism among Sri Lankans stemming from perceived imbalances in bilateral relations, particularly concerns that the project could serve India’s strategic or economic interests more than Sri Lanka’s.

“The previous Ranil Wickremesinghe government had agreed to connect Sri Lanka and India. But we never agreed to that. We told them we don’t agree with that. We only proceeded with whatever we agreed as a government.” Herath said.

“Not only the bridge, there was a plan to construct an express highway from Mannar to Trincomalee which…. could lead to physically separating a portion of the country. We are not ready for that,” referring to Sri Lanka’s Eastern port district of Trincomalee where India is eying for a strategic energy hub.

“We agree on Trincomalee (energy) hub. Ships can be used to access such a hub. We need to consider territorial integrity more than the cost,” he said when asked why Sri Lanka is not considering cost reduction benefits from an express highway and bridge between the two nations.

“It is not purely an economic advantage. This express road comes along with the bridge that connects India and Sri Lanka. So there is an issue,” he said.

President Dissanayake-led Marxists Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has consistently opposed Indian projects in Sri Lanka since 1987, largely due to its strong nationalist stance and resistance to foreign intervention in domestic affairs.

This opposition intensified after the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, which the JVP saw as a violation of Sri Lankan sovereignty, especially with the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in the North and East.

The party perceived India’s involvement as an attempt to dictate political solutions, particularly devolution through a constitutional amendment along with the Indo-Lanka Accord.

The party, which is involved with two militarily defeated insurrections, feared the Accord would lead to the fragmentation of the state.

Since then, the JVP has remained wary of Indian investments and infrastructure projects, often viewing them as neocolonial in nature and driven by strategic motives rather than genuine bilateral cooperation, especially when they involve critical sectors like ports, energy, or telecommunications.

However, analysts and diplomats say JVP after coming to power has been largely neutral on Indian projects though its ruling coalition has been stubborn on higher tariff in Adani’s wind power project and land connectivity deal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday formally inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking a major step in putting the southern state on the global maritime map. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the deep-sea port is expected to significantly boost India’s presence in global shipping and trade routes.

The port has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s biggest port developer and part of the Adani Group, in partnership with the government under a public-private model.

“It is designed to accommodate large cargo ships, addressing a critical need. Until now, 75 per cent of India’s transshipment activities were conducted at foreign ports, resulting in significant revenue losses for the country.”

“However, this is poised to change. The funds previously spent abroad will now be channeled into domestic development, creating new economic opportunities for the people of Vizhinjam and Kerala, ensuring that the nation’s wealth directly benefits its citizens,” he said.

He said that the people of Gujarat will be disappointed with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for building such a huge port in Kerala when he hails from the western Indian state.

With its commissioning, Vizhinjam positions India as a new maritime gateway in South Asia, expected to rival major ports like Colombo and Dubai.

Its natural depth of nearly 20 metres and proximity to global shipping routes make it ideally suited for large container vessels. The port has already demonstrated its operational capabilities, with trial runs beginning in July 2024 and over 285 vessels docking before its formal inauguration. It is also the first semi-automated port in the country and is equipped with an AI-powered vessel traffic management system developed in collaboration with IIT Madras.

Situated just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping routes, it is ideally located for connecting East and West maritime trade. The port includes a container ship berth of 1,800 metres and container handling capacity of 1.5 million TEUs annually in Phase 1.

Vizhinjam Port, which is strategically important, has been identified as a key priority project that will contribute to strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhancing logistics efficiency, and reducing reliance on foreign ports for cargo transhipment. Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthen India’s position in global trade.

What are key routes?

Vizhinjam is expected to facilitate the movement of transshipment traffic into India as well as on the major routes between the US, Europe, Africa and East Asia, according to a Bloomberg report.

Geneva-headquartered Mediterranean Shipping Co. in March included Vizhinjam for its Jade shipping service route from Europe to Asia, connecting ports in China, South Korea, Singapore, Spain and Italy, according to an Adani Group spokesperson.

Source: Economic Times

A stock of items previously seized by the Sri Lanka Army from the LTTE for investigative purposes was officially handed over to the government at the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters today (2), following the conclusion of relevant investigations.

The items, which include gold, silver, gems and jewellery, were confiscated from banks and possessions linked to the LTTE at the end of the war.

A total of 120 parcels containing these valuables were handed over to the Police.

Acting on instructions from the Attorney General, the parcels will be transferred to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka after inspection by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority, under police protection.

Director General of Army Intelligence, Major General Deeptha Ariyasinghe, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya and Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Authority, Naveen Suryarachchi were present at the event.

The Gem and Jewellery Authority is expected to assess and publicly announce the value and weight of the gold items.

Acting IGP Weerasooriya said that efforts will be made to return the gold to the verified rightful owners in the future.

The European Union (EU) GSP+ monitoring mission, which is currently in town, has once again expressed concern over the delay in repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), despite a promise made as far back as 2017, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka qualified for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) in 2017. However, the current regulations will expire next year. Sri Lanka is required to reapply for GSP+ under the revised criteria, which will come into effect in 2027.

The EU team is visiting Sri Lanka from April 28 to May 7, 2025, to take stock of progress on the fulfilment of conditions linked to the granting of GSP+ trade preferences.

Sri Lanka must make progress in implementing 27 international conventions.

For Sri Lanka, 85 percent of exports to the EU region benefit from the GSP+. In 2023, Sri Lanka exported items worth €3.84 billion.

Sri Lankan authorities informed the EU during this visit that a committee had been appointed to work out a new anti-terrorism bill to be enacted in place of the PTA.

In addition, the EU team inquired about the progress in amending the Online Safety Act and the reconciliation process.

The escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan are casting a shadow over Sri Lanka’s aviation and maritime sectors, with SriLankan Airlines facing higher operational costs and the Port of Colombo risking lost transshipment revenue, according to an analysis by Asha Securities Research.

SriLankan Airlines could see rising fuel expenses, as Europe-bound flights detour around closed Pakistani airspace, compounding operational challenges. The conflict also threatens tourism recovery, with India contributing roughly 20 percent of Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals. A decline in Indian travellers, driven by safety concerns or travel disruptions, may slow the sector’s rebound in 2025.

India has reportedly urged the transshipment hubs, including Colombo, Dubai and Singapore, to halt re-exporting Indian goods to Pakistan. Compliance could cost Colombo a portion of its lucrative transshipment business, though maritime routes remain open and the port lies outside the immediate conflict zone. Sri Lanka’s trade ties with India (US $ 782 million in exports and US $ 3.5 billion in imports in 2024) could leave it vulnerable to broader regional trade disruptions.

Asha Securities noted that near-term trade flow disruptions are unlikely but prolonged hostilities may exacerbate pressures on Sri Lanka’s tourism and logistics sectors.

“Colombo’s role as a transshipment hub hinges on geopolitical stability,” the report warned, highlighting the delicate balance Sri Lanka must strike amid the rising regional uncertainty.

The EU and Sri Lanka reviewed progress under the GSP+ arrangement, during talks held between an EU delegation and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Head of South Asia Division, European External Action Service of the European Union Mr. Charles Whiteley stated that the European Union has a favorable perspective on the current GSP+ review process.

Whiteley highlighted the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the EU, which has led to significant trade gains. He affirmed the EU’s willingness to continue supporting Sri Lanka in achieving further commercial progress.

He stated that the GSP+ concessions from the European Union are anticipated to encourage Sri Lanka to provide products that meet standardized quality requirements. He further said that the continuation of GSP+ trade concession is assessed on alignment with the current government’s policy commitments and progress.

The meeting assessed Sri Lanka’s advancements in executing 27 international conventions related to the European Union’s GSP+ tax concession, known as the Generalized System of Preferences.

President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for the EU’s assistance during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. He acknowledged that the GSP+ facility has played an important role in supporting the country’s export sector and economic recovery.

The President further noted that the collapse of Sri Lanka’s economy was the result of a deeply flawed political system, marked by corruption and mismanagement. The President stated that the current administration is working to rebuild the country through stable and transparent governance, though this transformation will require time.

Highlighting a key shift in political support, the President pointed out that unlike previous governments, which relied heavily on support from the South, the current administration was elected with the collective support of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities from across the country. The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to delivering on the promises made to all citizens.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of Labour, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-law, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, the Ambassador designate of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno, General for Trade and Economic Security – Policy Officer of the European Commission’s Directorate Guido Dolara, Desk Officer for Sri Lanka at European External Action Service Ms. Galija Agisheva along with other EU and Sri Lankan officials.