Sri Lanka, India review progress of key development projects

Colombo, July 27 (Daily Mirror) - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando today held discussions with Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha to review the progress of development projects being implemented with financial assistance from the Government of India.

The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat, focused on challenges affecting the implementation of Indian-funded infrastructure projects and measures required to address them. Discussions also covered the renewal of agreements needed to ensure the continuation of the projects.

The projects under review are being implemented through several ministries, including Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Ports and Civil Aviation, Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Housing Construction and Water Supply, Fisheries, Science and Technology, and Justice and National Integration.

The discussions also reviewed projects financed through the US$450 million loan and grant assistance provided by the Government of India for disaster recovery and reconstruction.

Participants further discussed establishing a dedicated unit within the Presidential Secretariat to oversee and monitor the implementation of India-funded development projects.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Fisheries Ministry Secretary Dr. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, officials from the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance, as well as Deputy High Commissioner of India Maitrey Kulkarni and other officials from the Indian High Commission.