Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha made a four-day visit to the Eastern province in order to get firsthand information on the ground situation in the province and explore opportunities to further develop the economic and cultural situation, the Indian High Commission said.

Issuing a statement the High Commission said that during the envoy’s four-day visit (between May 24-27), he held wide-range talks with politicians, religious leaders and members of the civil society. Mr. Kantha, who visited all the three districts, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara, held talks with the Eastern province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan and Chairman and other Members of the Eastern Provincial Council. Later the Eastern province Governor, Rear Admiral (Retd.) Mohan Wijewickrama hosted a breakfast meeting for the High Commissioner where he briefed him on the situation in the Province.

The High Commissioner separately interacted with leaders and other representatives of the SLFP, UNP, SLMC, ACMC, NC, TNA and TMVP. He also had meetings with the Security Forces Commander (East) and Commander of the Eastern Naval Area,” it said.

The High Commissioner also reviewed projects of Indian assistance currently being undertaken in the Province. He also held wide ranging discussions with various stakeholders to assess the impact of these projects on the ground and understand local priorities and requirements in order to further expand India’s development assistance.

During the visit, the High Commissioner offered floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Batticaloa, it added.